Great Britain women have won the Olympic gold medal for the first time in their history thanks to a stunning shoot-out triumph over the Netherlands, while Germany defeated New Zealand to take bronze on a dramatic final day at the Deodoro Hockey Centre.
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The Netherlands (WR: 2) and Germany (WR: 3), the finallists from the London 2012 Olympic Games, will fight it out for bronze at 12:00 Brasilia Time (GMT / UTC -3), before a hugely anticipated gold medal match between Belgium (WR: 6) and Argentina (WR: 7) gets underway at 17:00.
The Netherlands are looking to secure a third successive Games title, but Great Britain did beat their rivals to claim European gold a year ago.
Goalkeeper Maddie Hinch played the starring role for the British team, pulling off four saves in the shoot-out. We knew the Dutch would have their moments because they are a fantastic side. Paumen then found redemption from the blocked penalty stroke when she converted on a penalty corner to give the Dutch a 2-1 lead.
But again the lead didn’t last with Crista Cullen firing in a laser that was simply too hot for Joyce Sombroek to handle in the Dutch goal.
Immediately into the second quarter, Kitty Van Male chipped a shot past Hinch to even the score.
Two goals from Helen Richardson-Walsh gave Britain a 2-0 advantage at half-time and they appeared to be in total command when Sophie Bray scooped home following a goalmouth scramble after 37 minutes, only for Florencia Habif’s quickfire double to set up a nervous finale.
Following a largely uninspiring first half, Giselle Ansley put Britain ahead from a penalty corner before further efforts from Nicola White, on the rebound, and Danson saw India swept aside.
Margot van Geffen then hit the post which paved the way for Webb to smash home the gold medal victor.
Germany is the Olympic medal match veteran of the two, but New Zealand will be coming out hungry to get its shot at ending the Rio Olympics on the podium.
NICOLA White will fulfil a lifelong dream by going for gold for Team GB in the Olympic women’s hockey final. They have this experience under their belt, ready to chase a third consecutive gold medal. “I think we played way better than them”, said the Netherlands’ Eva de Goede.
However, they started on the front foot against the two-time world champions and should have gone in front when Olivia Schough spooned over Lotta Schelin’s low cross. Helen scored the first goal in the shootout, a penalty stroke.
Of the 10 goals available, only two were scored.
The win over New Zealand in the semi-final was rather surreal.
Asha Philip, Desiree Henry, Dina Asher-Smith and Daryll Neita came home third in the final behind the victorious United States and silver medallists Jamaica.
Japan won a surprise silver, while the USA’s disqualification resulted in Canada taking bronze and Britain finishing fifth.
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With the game tied at 3-3 at full-time, goalkeeper Maddie Hinch proved to be Britain’s match victor in the shoot-out as she crowned an outstanding performance by saving all four of The Netherlands’ attempts to score.
