Women's Hockey World Cup

In 2016 The Girl and I returned to our hotel after a day at Hay-on-Wye. We put on the television - because a day spent talking to me is a trial for anyone; she deserved a break. On the box was the Women’s Olympic Hockey Final between Great Britain and the Netherlands. It was an enthralling, pulsating encounter, the lead going back and forth, before concluding 3-3. What did the draw mean? A dreaded penalty shoot-out that's what. Given many of the players were English, this did not bode well. The penalty is the Englishman’s kryptonite. When it comes to war – Agincourt, Balaclava, Somme – we are bold. When it comes to standing up for rights – Peterloo, Jarrow, Suffrage – we are brave. Put a penalty in front of us though and we’re soon waving the white flags of surrender.

If anything a hockey penalty shootout is tenser than football: it’s prolonged to eight seconds for a start. In football it’s all down to one kick. In hockey a player dribbles the ball and has multiple opportunities to score, so long as they do it within the allotted time. You can go from elation at seeing your keeper save, to despair when the striker puts in the rebound. This hockey shoot-out was made more torturous by the imperious form of both keepers. Fortunately though, the Netherlands had gone to penalties in the previous round, given GB’s keeper Maddie Hinch a distinct advantage: she had the chance to read the form guide of her opponents, something they were unable to do. On that day Hinch was on bullish form. Channeling Tolkein’s Gandalf the Grey and a high security American prison, she allowed nothing to pass. And so it came to pass that GB won the shootout 2-0. History was made. Gold medals granted. Britain were champions of the world.

No one was getting past The Hinch. Pic. courtesy of Rex Features

I’ve always had a casual interest in hockey. I remember Jane Sixsmith of burnished red hair, Britain’s carrot and stick, competing over four Olympics. I also recall a men’s player Calum Giles, who used to be brought on solely for penalty corners. I bloody loved how a substitute found glory in being great at one thing. (A rule change now means that players can’t be brought on at penalty corners. How great is this? Calum Giles may never have won Olympic gold, but because of his actions he re-wrote the rulebook. Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronald may have multiple records, but until they change the very rules of their game they can’t be considered pioneers. Ha!)

Jane Sixsmith

After watching GB win gold, The Girl and I vowed to watch a hockey match live. Fortunately we found out last year that the World Cup was coming to London; therefore, acting quickly, we put our names in the ballot. Our names were drawn out and were thrilled to get two matches: an England game (GB only play Olympic hockey) and a tie between Argentina and Germany, the 3rd and 6th ranked teams. Being a football fan, I’m used to just getting one game for my money; here we were getting two – a whole evening’s entertainment.

On Wednesday we took Olympic Javelin train from Kings Cross to Stratford. It was fast, air-conditioned and spacious. (This rule of 3 is only ever used when describing foreign rail travel, rarely Britain's.) Therefore, not only did I enjoy the journey; but for the seven minutes I felt like I was on-board abroad. Maybe that should be the Javelin train’s marketing slogan: Kings Cross to Stratford via abroad. You’ll feel like you’re on holiday.

A slow moving obstacle (left) and a fast moving train (right)

When we got to Stratford we headed up to the Fans Park about a ten minute walk from the main athletic stadium. (West Ham fans it will always be an athletic stadium. You can put your claret and blue on it all you like, but that thing is Danny Boyle’s – he’s just letting you squat in it.) In the park, we had a go on in the games tent. One activity put us in the position of being officials, reviewing three hockey incidents and having to decide what action to take. This game was useful for us because as fair-weather hockey fans we needed reminding of the rules. Essentially, I learnt the rules are as follows: stick must meet ball, ball must not meet foot and goals can only be scored inside the D.

We then had an hour to kill so I suggested we smother time by drowning it in booze and gagging it with olives. (We went to the bar and had a picnic). At this point, we were ready to make our way into the stadium. Wherever you sit in the Lea Valley Stadium you get a good view. Our seats were behind the goal with a fence protecting us from stray shots. Soon the announcer had us whipped up and warmed up ready to greet the teams onto the pitch. The game was entertaining from beginning to end, with the best play evident in the first half. There, Germany ruthlessly exploited the Argentine defence, getting a lot of joy down the right flank. However, Argentina appeared to adopt rope-a-dope tactics where they would invite an onslaught, then counter Germany on the break. In terms of possession Germany bossed the game, but Argentina took their chances well, resulting in a tense finale. The score ended 3-2 to the Germans: justice for their progressive, penetrative play.

A cracking stadium.

During the period between games we went to get refreshments. (I say we went to get refreshments: The Girl popped to the loo whilst I queued to get her a drink.) I thought I could sort out her cider and still have time to get myself a 99 from the ice cream van. Cider sorted, I made my way over to Mr Whippy for a vanilla swirl. Unfortunately, the queue snaked from Stratford, East London, to Will's Stratford-upon-Avon. Alas, poor Yorick I went without.

England vs. USA was a crunch game for both teams. Ireland, rank outsiders, had shocked America in the first game, beating them 3-1. Whereas England got off to a stuttering start drawing 1-1 with India. In this World Championship only the top team in a group goes through automatically, therefore a win for both was vital. England’s 1-1 hangover with India seemed to be a four day one as they made a nervous start: America enjoyed the best of the quarter. In the second, England’s confidence grew: they dared to dribble; they passed with vim and vigour; they pressured America into conceding corners. The breakthrough was to come later when Alex Danson went on a rampaging run, slaloming through an American obstacle course, before unleashing a ferocious drive towards goal. Myself and The Girl were off our seats before it hit the net. The subsequent roar of 10,000 supporters was deafening. Soon the cry of ‘Hockey’s coming home’ came up. The girls were time-machining us back to 2016. 

But then out of nowhere America scored a blinder. 

A crash, bang, wallop that even Hinch could not keep out. This really knocked the wind out of England’s sails and despite plenty of huff and puff the US would not capsize. 

After two games, England find themselves second in the group. Since Ireland won, the best they can hope for is a second place finish, which would ensure a match against a third place team from another group. The second and third quarter demonstrated they have the talent to do it, but the first and fourth also suggests there is work to do.

I absolutely loved going to my first hockey match. I would recommend it to any sports fan. The pace is relentless, everything is timed: celebrations can only last 40 seconds; penalty corners too have a 40 second time limit. Although this may seem draconian, it ensures the ball is in play pretty much the whole time. As a huge fan of football, I loved watching a sport that wasn’t stifled by players kicking the ball away and taking an infinity over set-plays. The only complaint I can make about the Hockey World Cup is I never got that ice cream. 

What could have been.

Now that really would have been the flake on top of a very good day.

England play Ireland in their final group game Sunday 29th July, BT Sport 1 at 7pm.

Tickets can still be bought here: https://hockeyworldcup.seetickets.com/tour/2018-fih-women-s-hockey-world-cup/?pre=fihhockey