MADRID, 22 Ago. (EUROPA PRESS) –
The Spanish women’s field hockey team lost this Tuesday 0-5 against Belgium during the third day of the European Championship in senior category, which is taking place in Mönchengladbach (Germany), and thus was left out of the semifinals.
After reaping their second defeat in three games, both with little hands, Adrian Lock’s pupils finished third in Group A. The 5-1 conceded in their debut against the Netherlands was continued with a 2-0 victory over Italy , but losing to the Belgians cut short their chances of reaching the next round.
At the Mönchengladbach Hockeypark, Belgium started with clear ideas and a very offensive game, stepping on the Spanish area and already in minute 3 caused a penalty-corner that Stephanie Vanden Borre converted into the first goal. The following minute, Raoul Ehren’s team earned the second penalty-corner, with a shot at the woodwork; and, before minute 5, another occasion that María de los Ángeles Ruiz successfully saved.
The ‘RedSticks’ looked outmatched, but since that action by their goalkeeper they began to overcome the rival pressure. They reached the area in a quick counterattack, provoking a first penalty-corner that Elena Sotgiu, completely stretched out on the field, deflected with her stick for a corner. Lock’s team began to find their game and connect among all their players to step on the opposite field, while Belgium looked for quick combinations to reach the line of 22. The Spanish goalkeeper had to intervene with a good save after another penalty-corner with three minutes left to finish the first quarter.
In the second period, the Spanish team did not have so many difficulties in defense. He tried to build up in attack, but he didn’t always surpass the Belgian deployment and he lacked precision in passing. In the last minutes, Spain took the initiative, moving the ball faster and feeling more comfortable. With 14 seconds left to finish the fourth, a penalty-corner was awarded that Xantal Giné could not convert.
The second part did not have the dream start for the ‘RedSticks’. A loss in their own half caused a vertical attack that Charlotte Nglebert culminated with a cross backhand that was unattainable for the Spanish goalkeeper, who after the break was Clara Pérez. Another loss in their own half also caused a new penalty-corner against, but Clara Pérez intervened with success. In the 41st minute there was the best play in Spain, with a pass from Sara Barrios that left Belén Iglesias alone against Sotgiu; however, the Spanish striker missed her shot.
Another jug of cold water for the Spanish at the beginning of the last quarter, because after just a minute and a half Justin Rasir ‘punctured’ in front of Clara Pérez to score the third. Despite the fact that the comeback was supposed to be difficult, Lock’s pupils did not give up and Alejandra Torres-Quevedo had the opportunity to open the Spanish scoring in the middle of the quarter.
However, an excellent ‘flick’ to the Spanish area left Charlotte Nglebert ahead, who beat Pérez again. The fifth for the Belgians was scored by Vanden Borre with a spectacular penalty-corner drag, which slipped in at mid-height. To top it off, with a minute to go, there was a controversial goal disallowed for Spain.