EuroHockey Nation's: Ireland 0 Germany 7

Ireland 0 Germany 7 (A Kuhn, N Keller, F Rinne 2, M Stockel 2, J Muller)
Ireland endured a torrid opener to their EuroHockey Nations Championship campaign as they were on the receiving end of a 7-0 thrashing from reigning champions Germany in Amsterdam this afternoon.

It was never likely to prove a crucial result for Ireland in their efforts to maintain 'A division' status but it was a chastening defeat nonetheless - outdoing the 6-0 suffered two years ago in Manchester against the Netherlands.

Tomorrow morning's fixture against Scotland, therefore, remains the crucial fixture - especially after Spain beat Ireland's Celtic rivals 3-1.

Any sort of result will likely give the Irish a shot at a semi-final place against Spain whilst also potentially benefitting the relegation pool's standings.

The Germans had served notice of their intent inside 20 seconds, creating their first scoring opportunity and were ahead in the tenth minute when Anke Huhn - a former team-mate of Nikki Symmons from her Eintracht Braushweig days - snapped up a rebound.

Mary Goode pulled off a series of saves to from Jennifer Plass, Janine Beerman and the vastly experienced Natascha Keller (pictured taking on Emma Stewart, above right).

She received little support, though, from a defence being run ragged by the German’s pace and intensity. Her fourth major block of note denied Keller in a one-on-one situation but Plass reacted quickest to set up Keller for a simple finish with Goode stranded at the circle’s edge.

Fanny Rinne clattered in a penalty corner drag-flick for a 3-0 half-time lead.

The Irish competed with more voracity in the second period, drawing two short corners while Lisa Jacob and Roisin Flinn produced Ireland’s only two shots on target – both on their reverse-stick side.

But Germany always had the ability to up their tempo at will and added four more to their tally.
Rinne bashed in a straight hit from Germany’s seventh corner after the interval before Plass and Maike Stockel combined twice for two divine goals.

And a switch-right from yet another corner on the final whistle saw defender Julia Muller join the party.

The result served to emphasise the difference between the tournament haves and have-nots; a point rammed home by the Dutch in their 10-0 drubbing of Azerbaijan.

Speaking afterwards, Gene Muller found the odd crumb of comfort from a chastening experience:

“It was a difficult assignment playing a German side who have been in a medal match in every major competition for a long time. There was a major quality difference, but not only that, they played very well. We need to recognise that fact once an opposition like that, it becomes a bit of damage control.

“It is a bit of a shock to play against a side like this, especially if you have a young team and you have to be aware this is part of the team’s education. It’s not the end for Irish hockey but a continual building for the future. Disappointed, but you have to take your medicine sometimes.

“What we take from the game is that we were able to change, especially our intensity, in the second half. We were too timid in the first half, so our challenge now is to start with that physical intensity against Scotland.

“The Scotland game is a critical game for us, it was always going to be. Staying up, that’s the premier objective. After that, even a point against Scotland and we may have a chance of playing for a World Cup place against Spain. By the end of tomorrow, the objective is still to be in the tournament.”

Ireland: Mary Goode, Roisin Flinn, Eimear Cregan (capt), Emma Clarke, Emma Stewart, Bridget Cleland, Shirley McCay, Nikki Symmons, Emma Smyth, Lisa Jacob, Michelle Harvey
Subs: Cliodhna Sargent, Cathy McKean, Alex Speers, Lizzie Colvin, Megan Frazer

Pool B results: Ireland 0Germany 7 (A Kuhn, N Keller, F Rinne 2, M Stockel 2, J Muller) ; Spain 3 (R Huertas, S Munoz, R Ybarra) Scotland 1 (H Cram)
Pool A results: Netherlands 10 Azerbaijan 0; England 4 Russia 0

* For more of Ondine Roche's (from Fermoy HC) pictures from Ireland vs Germany, click here