HOCKEY / European Championships: It is a fact of life in these championships that some teams can ship a 4-0 defeat and move on as if it were just part of the normal daily round, like going for a filling or having a boil lanced.
Often the side applying the unwanted procedure is Holland or Germany. Yesterday the Germans played to type. Well drilled, strong and with two front runners, Silke Müller and Natascha Keller, who would be regarded as the most technically gifted players in Barcelona, Germany ran in three goals in the last 25 minutes to stay second in the pool behind England. Ireland conceded two soft goals, had one shot cleared off the line and after a difficult workout came away more disappointed than they expected.
"There was a fair chance that the Germans might beat us," said coach Riet Kuper. "But I didn't expect it that high. That's my disappointment today. Tactically we did very well. If you look back to the first half we had corners. Problem was we had two very soft goals against us. You don't have to blame anyone but it was two goalkeeping errors. The other day I said we had very good goalkeeping, saving a lot. Not this time."
Nadine Ernsting-Krienke opened from play after seven minutes, somehow hoiking in the ball from a narrow angle, but Germany had to wait until the second half for their second, Denise Klecker putting away a short corner on 45 minutes. Cornelia Reiter added the third on 56 minutes from play, with Alexandra Kollmar finishing off a wonderful 40-yard dribble from Keller three minutes from the end.
Ireland face the Ukraine today for their crunch match of the group. The Ukraine ought to line out half court, pick up balls in midfield and feed their two pacy and dangerous front-runners. Kuper will remember that Ireland were 3-1 up before losing 4-3 when the sides last met in the World Cup.
Meanwhile, John Clarke's men will hope to gather the stronger phases of their matches against Spain, Russia and Germany for what will be their pivotal game against France. Clarke has positive memories of playing France, as Ireland beat them in the Celtic Cup 1-0 just a few weeks before this tournament began.
"I believe that if France play as well as they can play and Ireland play as well as they can play then we will win the match," said the Ireland coach.
IRELAND (v Germany): N Platt, L Caulfield, C O'Brien, D Sixsmith, K Maybin, R Kohler, J Orbinson, E Cregan, J McDonough, L McVicker, B McKeever. Rolling subs: N King, F Connery, S Beaney, K Bateman, N Symmons.
