Vitality England Women Lose to Germany 0-3 to Finish 4th In EuroHockey Championship 2023

Vitality England Women's Hockey Team lost 0-3 to the hosts Germany in the EuroHockey Championship 2023 Bronze medal match in Mönchengladbach on Saturday. 

Sonja Zimmermann (12'), Charlotte Stapenhorst (26') and Jette Fleschütz (58') scored a goal each to help the hosts secure the Bronze medal in front of their home crowd. 

It was an even start to the match, with both teams cautiously making inroads in each other’s halves. It was Ellie Rayer who took the first shot at goal in the third minute, but the German goalie cleared the danger.  

After a quiet phase, Germany earned a series of penalty corners and were successful in breaking the deadlock through Zimmermann's drag-flick in the 12th minute. England immediately responded, but Rayer's yet another shot from the centre of the striking circle missed the target. 

England started the second quarter brightly, they pressed high and kept winning the ball in the midfield on timely occasions. They took a couple of shots at goal, but the German goalkeeper kept the English forwards at bay. 

Germany, in reply, earned a penalty corner in the 24th minute, but in-form goalkeeper Sabbie Heesh made a comfortable save. England's high press kept a wide space open for the Germans, and an error in the midfield caused England one more goal as Stapenhorst doubled the lead for the home side in the 26th minute from an open play.  

Germany rode on the momentum and earned yet another penalty corner in the last minute of the third quarter, but missed out on converting it. The home side were in a comfortable 2-0 lead at the end of half-time.  

The home side earned yet another penalty corner in the 32nd minute, but failed to convert it. England were pushed on the backfoot with relentless pressure from Germany. Germany dominated the ball possession and played the majority of the quarter in England's half. They created some goalscoring opportunities and also had a penalty corner, but couldn't capitalise on it. 

The final quarter saw a similar story, with Germany taking control of the proceedings. They had a penalty corner in the 51st minute, but yet again missed out on converting it. England, on the other hand, were a bit scrappy, they missed out on taking the ball past the 23-meter line. 

With less than five minutes to go, England removed their goalkeeper to put an extra outfield player. Germany went on to take advantage of it as Fleschütz added the third goal to the home side's tally in the 58th minute. They slowed down the proceedings, ensuring a comfortable 0-3 win and the Bronze medal.