Our Nicola in Euro title glory

GO FOR IT . . . Nicola White (right) battles for posssession with Netherland's Maartje Paumen during yesterday’s final.

HOCKEY: 

OLDHAM’S Nicola White played a prominent role as England's women won the UniBet EuroHockey Championships for the first time in 24 years.

The team defeated the Netherlands 3–1 on penalties. Two years ago, England lost the gold medal in a shoot–out loss to Germany - and their quest to go one better this time didn’t start well: they fell 2–0 behind thanks to Caia van Maasakker's quick double.

But late efforts from Sophie Bray and Lily Owsley meant the gold medal would once again be decided in a shoot–out. And it was there that goalkeeper Maddie Hinch proved to be the match winner, saving three penalties as England claimed glory against a country that had won eight of the previous 10 EuroHockey Championships.

The 2013 winners, Germany, had to settle for bronze with a 5–1 win over Spain, while Scotland avoided relegation to European hockey's second tier thanks to a 2–0 win over Poland.