An almighty spring was put into Great Britain’s Olympic defence on Monday when goalkeeper Maddie Hinch performed wonders again, saving four Spanish shoot-outs, as the Rio Olympic champions edged Spain in a shoot-out to dish up a Dutch semi-final date at the Tokyo Games.
The drama from the 23m line followed a 2-2 normal time draw as Team GB set up an Olympic showdown with the Oranje, who will be undeniable favourites to reach another final after going over 100 games since the Rio final with just two competitive defeats. India face Argentina in the second semi-final.
Martin’s dazzling stickwork gave GB the game’s opener in normal time before Belen Iglesias’ leveller from a penalty corner. Grace Balsdon’s second-half PC rocket put Britain ahead again but Berta Bonastre equalised, Martin hitting the post with three minutes on the clock in the fourth quarter.
But it was shot stopper Hinch whose fiery presence in goal won the day – saving consecutively from Clara Ycart, Begona Garcia, Georgina Oliva and Beatriz Perez (twice) in another springing masterclass from the Briton.
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