England suffer relegation
19th Janauary 2014ENGLAND’s hopes of retaining their top-flight status – and qualifying for the World Cup – disappeared after they suffered a string of narrow defeats at the EuroHockey Men’s Indoor Championships in Vienna, Austria, last weekend.
Their bid to avoid dropping out of the top flight went right down to the wire, but a 2-3 defeat to the Czech Republic on Sunday ended their hopes and was just the latest in a string of very close matches.
Only once did England lose by more than one goal, and secured a hard-fought and deserved draw against eventual bronze medalists Russia.
And they were leading 7-6 against eventual winners Germany with five minutes remaining before the reigning World and European champions hit back late in the game.
“Although bitterly disappointed not have achieved a better final placing, I am nevertheless proud of the effort and the progress from this squad of players,” said Head Coach Andy Halliday.
England Men’s team for the 2014 EuroHockey Indoor Championships
Ben Arnold (Beeston)
James Bailey (GK) (Reading)
David Beckett (Cannock)
Darren Cheesman (Reading)
David Cooper (Hampstead and Westminster)
Simon Egerton (HGC (NED) – Bowdon indoor)
Harry Gibson (GK) (Loughborough Students)
Chris Griffiths (Loughborough Students)
Richard Lane (Holcombe)
Chris Newman (Reading)
Richard Springham (capt) (Reading)
Sam Ward (Beeston)