England U21 women got their EuroHockey Junior Nations Championship off to a great start, beating Russia 2-1 in Waterloo, Belgium, on Sunday morning.
After falling behind to an early goal by Elena Sazhina, England levelled just before the break through Clifton’s Stephanie Addison. They took the lead on 45 minutes through Canterbury ace Grace Balsdon, and held that lead to the end.
Coach Kevin Johnson said: “It was important to start the tournament with a win, which we have achieved.
“After taking a while to get into the game we began to find our rhythm and intensity and had a strong second half performance, creating several goal shots and earning a number of penalty corners. We look forward to the next game in full confidence.”
A scrappy goal gave Russia the lead, and England battled hard to get an equaliser. It finally came on 33 minutes, Addison diving to deflect home a cross from the right.
They took the lead on 45 minutes from a penalty corner, and it was Grace Balsdon who scored with a drag flick from the top of the D.
England Under-21 Women are next in action on Monday (4pm UK time) when they play Spain.
Match Schedule
| Time (BST) | Match | Result | ||
| Sunday 20 July 2014 | ||||
| 09:00 | Spain | v | France | 1-0 |
| 09:30 | England | v | Russia | 2-1 |
| 13:30 | Germany | v | Czech Republic | 12-1 |
| 14:00 | Netherlands | v | Belgium | 3-1 |
| Monday 21 July 2014 | ||||
| 15:30 | France | v | Russia | |
| 16:00 | England | v | Spain | |
| 17:45 | Germany | v | Netherlands | |
| 18:15 | Belgium | v | Czech Republic | |
| Wednesday 23 July 2014 | ||||
| 11:00 | Spain | v | Russia | |
| 11:30 | France | v | England | |
| 15:30 | Netherlands | v | Czech Republic | |
| 16:00 | Belgium | v | Germany | |
| Thursday 24 July 2014 | ||||
| 15:30 | 4A | v | 4B | |
| 16:00 | 2A | v | 1B | |
| 18:00 | 3A | v | 3B | |
| 18:30 | 1A | v | 2B | |
| Saturday 26 July 2014 | ||||
| 07:30 | 4A | v | 3B | |
| 08:00 | 3A | v | 4B | |
| 12:30 | LSF1 | v | LSF2 | |
| 14:30 | WSF1 | v | WSF2 | |
Team Lists
| U21 Women | |
| Name | Club |
| Amy Tennant (GK) | Bowdon |
| Grace Lawes (GK) | Reading |
| Olivia Chilton | Birmingham University |
| Stephanie Addison | Clifton |
| Holly Hunt | Bowdon |
| Rebekah Walker | Beeston |
| Emma Trunks | Birmingham University |
| Emily Defroand | Birmingham University |
| Kim Leiper | Loughborough Students |
| Hannah Martin | Birmingham University |
| Anna Toman | Birmingham University |
| Olivia Paige | Reading |
| Grace Balsdon | Canterbury |
| Joanna Leigh | Clifton |
| Rebecca Van Berkel | Birmingham University |
| Lydia Clissitt | Birmingham University |
| Kathryn Lane | Isca |
| Alice Wills | Old Loughtonians |
