Four World Cups will be lifted on Sunday after a highly competitive week in Nottingham, with the hosts still in the mix for a clean sweep of trophies.
MEN’S O35 WORLD CUP
England, runners up in 2018 to the Australians, will play South Africa in the over-35s final after the hosts came through a thrilling semi-final with Ireland.
In front of a packed Friday night crowd, this over-35s last four tussle underlined the competitive nature of Masters Hockey as England edged through to the gold medal match with a 6-5 win in a sudden death shoot-out.
Ireland had twice led in normal time through Gareth McKeown and Peter Blakeney, with England’s Michael Baddeley and corner dangerman Richard Jenkin, with a 64th minute equaliser, taking the game the distance.
The shoot-out was dramatic as no team could be separated, while the quality was highlighted by John Jackson’s stick. In the end, Blakeney was unable to convert after Simba Chigwada’s goal.
England will play South Africa in the final after beating Argentina 3-0. England edged South Africa 4-3 in the opening game of their pool stages.
WOMEN’S O35s WORLD CUP
England women will take on Ireland in the gold medal match on Sunday at Nottingham Hockey Centre.
England racked up 48 goals from their five matches, scoring 10 or more in three of their games, including a 19-0 win over India and 12-0 victory against Scotland. Charlotte Hartley leads the way with nine goals for England.
In a far tighter Pool B, Ireland progressed by a point over the Netherlands after winning four of their five group games.
Wales play the Dutch in the third/fourth match.
MEN’S O40 WORLD CUP
It will be England v Australia for the gold medal match in Nottingham.
Both sides head into the final unbeaten from their six Pool games. England finished off their group stage with a buoyant 6-1 win over South Africa, while Australia were tested by Spain, coming through 2-1. That was the first time they had conceded this week, while England have only shipped two goals. It is set to be a tight affair on Sunday.
WOMEN’S O40 WORLD CUP
Argentina will face England in Sunday’s final, after Las Leonas Masters beat Wales 3-0 in a final group game battle.
Argentina and Wales were locked on 10 points, one behind Pool leaders the Czech Republic. An outright winner would see one team leapfrog the Czechs, who won three of their six group games. Should it have been a draw, the Czechs held a better goal difference.
As it was, Wales couldn’t contain the Argentinians as they lost their second game in a row.
England finished five from five, and five points clear of Germany in second. Sally Walton is the current tournament top scorer, with 12 goals.
