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PROUD . . . Nicola White shows off her Unibet European Championship gold medal.

Hockey: OLDHAM hockey star Nicola White believes more exciting times are beckoning for the Great Britain and England women’s teams.

White (27), who now has more than 150 combined GB, England and indoor caps, has been speaking following England’s recent final shoot-out victory against the Netherlands in the Unibet European Championships in London.

Holcombe forward White said: “I was absolutely buzzing on the podium at Queen Elizabeth Park, singing the national anthem with a gold medal round my neck. As a team we dream of winning and we train our hearts out every day for it.

“It was my fourth European championship but this was my first senior gold medal. It just felt so right. We had been so close recently with finals and just lost, but you come back stronger and more hungry for it. I’m so proud of everyone in the programme for what we have right now and that’s why it makes it so special.

“It’s an exciting time, moving forward towards the Rio Olympics in 2016 and we have plenty more

opportunities to develop as a squad. But for now I’ll enjoy the European gold.”

There was edge of the seat excitement at the final when England won 3-1 in a nail-biting shoot-out after being forced to come back from 2-0 down to 2-2 in normal time.

Oldham’s golden girl, a Team GB bronze-medallist at the London 2012 Olympics, savoured her achievement.

She said: “It was an incredible feeling to have won the European gold medal. It took time to sink in. I can’t stop looking at the medal.

“We are unbeaten in competitive games this year, which is a fantastic achievement and a run we have worked hard to maintain. We built a lot of momentum from the Rio qualification tournament at the World League and then on to the Euros. I couldn’t wait to play in front of a home crowd back on the Olympic Park.

“I was really impressed with the support we had throughout the tournament. The noise in the final game was unreal.”