Dutch Women outclass Italy 5-1 in EuroHockey Nations Championship in Germany
Double strike from the skipper, Maartje Paumen played a major role in guiding the Dutch Women to a sparkling victory over Italy as they defeated their Italian counterparts relatively a poor side 5-1 in their last Pool A match of the GANT EuroHockey Nations
Championship (women), played at the Warsteiner Hockey Park in Monchengladbach, Germany on Tuesday, August 23.
The Dutch dominated their opponents throughout the entire match from the starting whistle to the end where they made a double strike in the first thirty five minutes and scored three goals in the second part of the game. While their opponents, the Italians,
could score only a single goal in the first half whereas they remained goalless in the second part of the game.
The Dutch, who recently won the FIH Women’s Champions Trophy at their home soil by defeating the reigning World Champions and the World Number one Argentina’s Las Leonas, were matchless for the Italians during the whole time. They were quite brilliant in
their attack as well as pretty resolute in their defence.
The first half started slowly as both the teams struggled to find the opposite’s net till the midway through the first half. However, the Dutch ladies picked up the pace and got the required momentum in the middle stages of the first thirty five minutes.
They opened their account in the 21st minute when the skipper, Maartje Paumen, scored the first Dutch goal with the help of a drag flick. Soon after the opener, the Dutch once again found the Italian net just three minutes later when Naomi Van
As converted another penalty corner into their second goal and doubled the Dutch lead. However, just before the interval, the Italians replied well by reducing the Dutch lead in the 35th minute with Macarena Ronsisvalli was the scorer.
The second half also belonged to the Dutch as they played even better as compared to the first half. The Dutch scored their third goal in the 46th minute when Kim Lammers brought a wonderful field goal into the sight. The Dutch continued to put
pressure on the Italian defence line in the remaining time as well when the skipper, Maartje Paumen, once again ticked the scoreboard in the 55th minute, another penalty corner goal.
Just two minutes before the close of the play the Dutch were awarded another penalty corner to which Sabine Mole made no mistake and finished perfectly for the Netherlands in the 68th minute. The match concluded at 5-1 to Netherlands. The Dutch
will face the challenge of England in the first semi-final on Thursday, August 25.
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