White aims to be a Euro star

TOUGH SPOT: Nicola White in action

HOCKEY: NICOLA White hopes a passionate home Olympic-style crowd can spur on her England team to more success at the Unibet European Championships.

Oldham-raised Holcombe star White is in head coach Danny Kerry’s 18-strong squad for the nine-day showpiece event, the first major tournament since she helped Team Great Britain to glory and Rio 2016 qualification with World League victory in Valencia, Spain, recently.

“I’m thrilled to have been selected,” White said. “It’s been a quick turn round from the Olympic qualifiers and a tough three-week block where the pressure has been on to perform to be selected, but it doesn’t get better than playing an international tournament at home.

“The last time was in London 2012, and England Hockey have really tried to make the Europeans a spectacle for all involved and celebrate the legacy of the sport post-Olympics with being just across the road from where GB won the bronze medal.

“The home crowd will be a massive support for us. It really can impact games as the energy feeds from them on to the pitch and into our play.

“We have just come off the back of winning the Olympic qualifiers in Spain and have built a very positive momentum which is what we need to focus on keeping.”

The tournament, which started today, takes place at the London’s plush Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. England get their group fixtures under way tomorrow against Scotland (6.15pm). The tournament will be televised via the BBC red button.