FOUR NATIONS, ROTTERDAM, 24-28 JUNE 2008
Netherlands 2 (1)
Pauman 21 (PC)
Aglioti 60 (PC)
Great Britain 3 (2)
Crista Cullen 31 (PC)
Alex Danson 35 (F)
Rachel Walker 56 (F)
In the final pool game, with both Great Britain and Netherlands already qualified for Saturday’s final, GB took a 2-1 lead into the break after goals from Crista Cullen and Alex Danson.
Throughout the half The Netherlands levied a great deal of pressure on GB little time on the ball. Beth Storry, winning her 50th international cap, pulled of a number of good saves to deny The Netherlands on several occasions.
The Netherlands had to wait until the 20th minute to take the lead from one their four first half penalty corners, Pauman flicking high into the net. GB responded will with Danson deflecting the ball past the post at the other end after a three man move from the back.
With GB creating more space and moving the ball forward quickly from defence they won a penalty corner after Lucilla Wright robbed a defender and passed the ball to Danson who found a Dutch foot in the circle. Crista Cullen stepped up, placing her flick into the bottom corner in the 31st minute.
In the last minute of the half, and with GB moving forward with more confidence, a free hit outside the circle from Kate Walsh found the stick of the diving Alex Danson to send GB into the break with the lead, silencing the large Dutch crowd.
