England women set out on the road to the EuroHockey Championships this week when they play their first set of matches after Commonwealth hockey gold.
England, who have named an unchanged squad from their Birmingham heroics, will be buoyed by another home crowd and another pitch on university grounds, with Durham hosting Wales and the unknown nations of Croatia and Slovakia.
The event will run from Thursday to Sunday, with Durham hosting international hockey for the first time in what also be a rare foray for England outside of playing Test hockey outside of London. Only one side will take the ticket on offer to the 2023 Championships in Germany.
A number of Durham University players will take part, with Fiona Crackles and Tess Howard lining up for England, Rebecca Daniels and Izzie Howell competing for the Welsh.
Mark Brian, Head of Sport at Durham University, said: “We have a world class sporting venue here in Durham and are excited to be partnering in an event of this stature.
“It is fantastic to be welcoming back some of our students who are now playing at this level.”
England are playing the EuroHockey qualifiers after finishing fifth at the 2021 Championships. The Netherlands, Belgium, Germany and Spain have already secured qualification for 2023.
Elswhere in the EuroHockey qualifiers, Ireland women defeated Turkey with a 7-0 win to secure their berth next summer.
Italy women beat Ukraine 1-0 to also join them, while Spain men thrashed Portugal 11-0.
Schedule at Durham University
Thursday
17.15 Wales v Slovakia
19.30 England v Croatia
Saturday
10.45 Croatia v Slovakia
13.00 Wales v England
Sunday
10.45 Croatia v Wales
13.00 England v Slovakia
Matches will be streamed at www.eurohockeytv.org.
