• European Hockey Championships

England pip Spain to bronze

ESPN staff
August 27, 2011
England secured European bronze after victory against Spain © Getty Images
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England's women came from a goal down to beat Spain 2-1 to claim the bronze medal at the European Hockey Championships in Germany.

After a goalless first-half, Silvia Munoz gave Spain the lead in the third-fourth play-off, but Helen Richardson grabbed an equaliser from Alex Danson's cross.

And a superb reverse-stick strike from Richardson three minutes from time secured the victory for England, who won the bronze medal for the fourth consecutive tournament.

Despite harbouring hopes of gold, England coach Danny Kerry was happy with his side's performance.

"It's very difficult to break down a team that is not interested in playing hockey," he said. "We were patient though, we stuck to our game plan and we came through it.

"In the grand scheme of things we might be disappointed with bronze because we came here looking to win gold but we should remember that in competitive tournaments we have only lost twice so far this year."

Meanwhile, Netherlands, who beat England in the semi-finals, went on to defend their European title with a convicing 3-0 win over Germany in the final.

In the morning's play-off matches, Ireland condemned Italy to relegation from Europe's elite group with a 4-1 victory, while Belgium beat Azerbaijan 3-1 to secure a place in the 2013 tournament.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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