All the latest reports and action from EuroHockey 2023
Belgium 6 Spain 0
Belgium women swept by the challenge of Italy to start off their European challenge in confident mood with a 6-0 win.
Michelle Struijk opened the scoring in the 12th minute with a penalty corner scramble and Abi Raye produced a top corner rocket for a 2-0 half-time lead.
It stayed that way until the final 11 minutes when Charlotte Englebert scored a penalty stroke and she would later get another from a corner at the injection spot.
The fourth came from Emma Puvrez and Stephanie Vanden Borre completed the win with a direct drag-flick.
“It’s a good start to the tournament, winning 6-0 against a decent side and we are ready for the next game coming up,” said player of the match Emily White.
“Italy did a good job. We know they are a good side at defending in their own 25 so we did well to keep pushing until the last minute and score a few goals.”
She is among a few teenagers in their line-up and says the more experienced Red Panthers have made it easy to develop in the side.
“I have learned so much from these guys; they have so much talent and I can learn from their experience in their preparation for this stage.”
As for objectives for the event: “We would like to get to the final and then win that game! We play it game-by-game, pushing to win!”
Netherlands 5-1 Spain
It took three minutes for Yibbi Jansen to get the ball rolling with a rocket of a penalty corner and she added another in the same style – going to the opposite corner this time – early in the second quarter for 2-0.
The third one was not quite so direct but, from another set piece, the ball ricocheted to Frédérique Matla on the right of the circle and she thumped home a shot.
Pien Dicke added another in the second quarter, touching in from Jansen’s driving run and cross. Belen Iglesias ghosted in at the back post to pull one back before half-time.
After a scoreless third quarter, Jansen completed her hat-trick with six minutes to go with yet another powerful drag-flick into the backboard.
Speaking about the victory, Jansen said: “Five against one is a big score so we are happy! It’s the way we want to play, to put pressure on them. We can play better but we are really happy.”
