GermanyBelgium
The Red Panthers finished the group stage in Paris in 2nd place. Our women’s hockey team won the crucial final match 0-2 against Germany. This means that they will face Spain in the quarter finals, a less difficult opponent on paper. This match will take place on Monday at 20:00.
The Red Panthers knew what they had to do to finish second in their group: beat Germany, which would give them a slightly easier route to a possible final.
The Panthers understood how important that 2nd place was and started
strong in the match. In a balanced first quarter Michelle Struijk was able to
Putting the Panthers ahead after 12 minutes. After a penalty corner they scored in the
resumption.
In the 2nd quarter, Ambre Ballenghien immediately put the Panthers 0-2 ahead with her 6th goal of this tournament. The Panthers had smelled blood and wanted to extend their lead before half-time. They continued to opt for the attack, but a reassuring 0-3 was not in it.
The 0-3 did not come in the 3rd quarter either. Ballenghien came closest, but her effort flew against the post. Germany did try to find the connecting goal, but did not succeed. Goalkeeper D’Hooghe made the save first and a few minutes later Hélène Brasseur was the savior in need. On the line she could barely stop the ball.
In the 4th quarter, Delphine Mariën had the ultimate chance to score the 0-3, but she missed 1-on-1 with the German goalkeeper. Fortunately, Germany was not at the same level, although it became exciting at the end with a few penalty corners for Germany. But the 0-2 remained on the board, which means that the Red Panthers finished 2nd in their group.
In the quarterfinals, Spain awaits on August 5 at 8:00 p.m. A new clash with the Netherlands is only possible in the final.
“Wanted to send a signal to the Netherlands”
National coach Raoul Ehren was lyrical after the victory. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen us play so well. Except for the first 3 minutes we were really good, everything was right and we were super sharp. It was clear that something was at stake and we really wanted to win. The only reproach is that we don’t score many goals, but I’m super happy with our game. We wanted to send a signal today after the Netherlands, and we did that. Now, with Spain, a team awaits that has grown over the past 7 months, but we’re going to prepare them calmly.”
Ainsling D’Hooghe was allowed to make her first minutes of the tournament. “I had a lot of stress, but it was very nice to play again. In the beginning I went looking for a first save to start well, although I would have preferred an easier one. But I am super happy to receive so much love from the team after the match.
Michelle Struijk scored the first goal. “I am super happy with my first Olympic goal, but the victory is even more important. Yesterday we were just not ourselves against the Netherlands, so we knew we had to win. I am super proud of our match, although we certainly had the chance to score more. The good thing is that we kept going, I am very happy with that. Thanks to this match we are really excited and confident towards Spain, but we should not underestimate them.
Judith Vandermeiren: “We wanted to show fighting spirit and build confidence”
Emma Puvrez: “We certainly should not underestimate Spain”
Michelle Struijk: “This was a different Belgium than yesterday”
Aisling D’ Hooghe: “I felt the love from my teammates”
Raoul Ehren: “I’ve never seen us play so well”
End: 0-2
The match ends 0-2. The Panthers thus become 2nd in their group and have a slightly easier route to the final.
Charlotte Englebert will not be seen on the field again in this match. She gets a yellow card. One and a half minutes left to play.
Germany’s first shot on goal goes in. But because it goes high, it is seen as dangerous play. So no 1-2.
Miss Marien
The Panthers can counter sharply, but Mariën misses 1-on-1 with the German goalkeeper. This was the moment to put the 0-3 in.
End of 3rd quarter
Germany tries, but they don’t succeed in making the connecting goal. Ballenghien came close to making it 0-3 for the Panthers, but her effort hit the post. Survive another fifteen minutes and Belgium will finish second in the group.
Germany immediately gets a second big chance. The ball hangs in front of goal and eventually it is Brasseur who can save on the line.
Germany gets their first big chance of the evening. The Panthers think they’re getting a foul, but the referee lets it happen. That results in a goal chance, but the ball hits goalkeeper D’Hooghe’s body.
Ballenghien almost scores her 2nd goal of the evening, but her effort flies against the post. Not yet 0-3.
Second half
The Panthers have started the second half. Can they confirm their strong first half?
Rust: 0-2
The Red Panthers go into halftime with a 0-2 lead. They are better than Germany and are virtually certain of second place. Only a reassuring 0-3 remains to be seen. Can they maintain this level in the second half?
The Panthers are having a very strong first half.
Eddy Demarez
Charlotte Englebert has to cool down for 2 minutes after she did not run away quickly enough following a mistake.
The Panthers keep attacking and come close to another goal, but a reassuring 0-3 is not yet in the cards.
