Great Britain’s Nicola White scored the game-tying goal on a rebound off of a penalty corner that would ultimately send the two teams into a shootout.
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Helen Richardson-Walsh, who had missed her shootout attempt moments before, said: “As soon as it was a stroke I was really confident I’d go up and slot it home”. The Dutch will claim the silver medal, making it the country’s eighth overall medal in women’s field hockey.
Great Britain secured an upset win over the Netherlands in the final of the women’s hockey competition at Rio 2016.
“It will be really special to be in a final with her”, said the captain. The Kiwis had just the one defeat to their name, with a loss to Germany.
Maartje Paumen spurned the chance to give the Dutch the lead from the spot early on, Hinch pulling off what was to be the first of a number of brilliant reaction stops.
Earlier in the day, Germany beat New Zealand 2-1 to take the bronze medal thanks to goals from Charlotte Stapenhorst and Lisa Schutze.
After a goalless first quarter, it was the British women who began to take the upper hand. After Lily Owsley was obstructed wide on the right wing by Rose Keddell, GB were awarded their third penalty corner.
She did her best but could do nothing as a fake shot from yet another penalty corner was switched to the far post where Van Male grabbed a second with the easiest of tap ins. We let it slip a couple of times in the second half, particularly when we went down to ten which made it hard.
Victory was also a personal triumph for Kate and Helen Richardson-Walsh who were believed to be the first married gay couple to compete at an Olympics. Although Spain came back into the contest and struck back in the second half through Georgina Oliva; GB sailed through, setting up a semi-final with New Zealand this Wednesday.
The incident, which the report said had occurred early on Tuesday, has stoked concerns about the safety of competitors and visitors to Rio for South America’s first Games, which conclude on August 21. A stray ball found an unmarked Olivia Merry only to fire wastefully wide of Maddy Hinch in the GB goal.
Britain were indebted to goalkeeper Hinch for saving Paumen’s penalty flick after Sam Quek’s rash challenge on Laurien Leurink. Richardson-Walsh was given the honours and cooly slotted past Barnett. “They have some talented players and they will probably start as red-hot favourites but we like it that way”.
But three minutes into the final quarter Danny Kerry’s team grabbed the all-important second goal.
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The Netherlands will look for its third consecutive gold medal in Rio against Great Britain.
