GB women win hockey gold

 

Great Britain’s women defeated defending Olympic Champions the Netherlands on penalties to claim first gold medal.

A well-fought match from both sides ended 3-3 in normal time but GB goalkeeper Maddie Hinch proved vital in the shoot-out.

The Netherlands started the match on the front foot and if it wasn’t for the hand of Hinch they would have taken the lead from a penalty stroke.

Britain became more comfortable in possession and went ahead towards the end of the first quarter through Lily Owsley.

They were pegged back by the Dutch and fell behind after goals from Kitty van Male and Maartje Paumen.

This was one of two occasions GB would have to come from behind but Crista Cullen completed the first comeback with a fine effort to make it 2-2.

Paumen scored her second of the game for the Netherlands in the final quarter but this was cancelled out by Nicola White as the match finished level.

A selection of the GB team had England’s EuroHockey Championships triumph in the back of their minds where they beat the Netherlands on penalties.

Britain would have to do the same again and Hinch would show her quality in the shoot-out as her notes on the opposing players paid off.

Her hard work off the field was rewarded as she went on to save all four of the Netherlands’ penalties.

Helen Richardson-Walsh and Hollie Webb were also GB’s heroes as they scored the decisive penalties to complete a 2-0 victory.

It was a historic achievement for the GB women winning the first Olympic hockey gold but also Team GB’s 24^th gold of the Rio games.