Ireland 4 - 1 Italy - EuroHockey Nations Championship (women)

Three goals in the same number of minutes was the difference between the two teams as Ireland went on to win by 4-1 in their final game of the Euro Hockey Nations in Germany at 08.30 this morning. Italy had started the brightest and Irish keeper Emma Gray had to be sharp to deny the Italians taking an early lead. The first of the three goals came in the 17 minute after good patient build up saw Connery pass to Clarke whose first time shot went in of the palm of the Italian keeper for a 1 goal lead. Two minutes later after some lovely interplay Symmons finished beautifully for 2-0 and within a minute the third goal this time a Smyth drive is touched in by Connery from 2 yards past the helpless Lilliu in Italian goal. The Italians were shell shocked with Smyth and O Halloran having chances to extend their 3 goal margin. Italy almost got 1 back in the final minute of the half but McCarthy expertly cleared off the line with Gray beaten.

The second half saw Italy alot sharper with Gray making a excellent stick save in the 42 minute but from the resulting long corner the ball was played into the circle for Alessia Padalino to finish and Italy back into the game. Ireland had their first of 6 penalty corner in the 54min Watkins winning the foul. Symmons strike was well saved for a long corner which resulted in a glorious chance for Jacob from close in. Ireland forced 5 more corners in the last 6 minutes and from the final one and O'Flynn drag was saved but McCay rebounded at full stretch to force home and give Ireland a 4-1 victory.

After the game Muller said it was a closer game than the scoreline reflected and were fortunate to score 3 goals in quick succession. He went on to say he was delighted to finish with 2 wins and felt the girls played with less fear over the final 3 games.

Ireland will not know their final position until Belgium play Azerbaijan. Azerbaijan need to beat Belgium by 2 clear goals for Ireland to finish in 7th position and with it relegation to the lower tier of the Europeans in 2013.