White’s spot-kick pain

HOCKEY: THERE was shoot-out agony for Shaw’s Nicola White and her England colleagues in the final of the TriFinance EuroHockey Championships in Belgium.

In the nation’s first major tournament final since the European Championship victory back in 1991, England again faced Germany, in Antwerp, and lost 2-0 in a penalty shoot-out after the match ended in a thrilling 4-4 draw.

England had led 2-1 in a breathless first half that culminated with the Germans in front at 4-3.

It stayed that way until just four minutes from time when Lily Owsley’s deflected equaliser forced a shoot-out.

Sadly, none of skipper Kate Walsh, Alex Danson, Laura Unsworth or Georgie Twigg managed to convert for England as Germany secured their dream victory by scoring two from their four attempts.

Captain Walsh was dejected at the end of an emotional day for the England girls.

She said: “Having practised penalties so many times over the years, you feel confident going in there.

“It is just 50-50, but this time it just wasn’t our day.”