GB Women competed in the Mechelen tournament over the weekend 28th/29th June.

Following the team’s success in Essen, the GB womens team headed for Mechelen with high hopes of a second international win for the season in the run up to the world championships. For the first time, the Flanders cup tournament consisted of only national teams, this being a great tournament to eye up the opposition for the last time before the world championships.

Saturday consisted of five games and five wins...
GB v Poland 8-2
GB v Germany U-21 8-0
GB V Spain 7-1
GB v Belgium 15-0
GB v Netherlands B 15- 0

Following Saturdays performance, GB were top of their group with one last group game to play on Sunday morning against New Zealand. The last time GB saw NZL play was at the 2006 world championships where they came an impressive 2nd. The winner of the early morning game would be the overall winners of the group resulting in the easier semi-final. The team were up early at 7.00am for a quick splash about session in preparation for the 8.30 game. Not really knowing what to expect from the Kiwis, GB played hard and came through with a win of 4-2. Although not their best game performance wise, a win’s a win and that’s all that was needed for a place in the semi-final.

In the opposite group, the Germans were the overall winners whilst a close fight for second place left the French 3rd on goal difference and the Dutch just pinching second by more goals for. GB played the Netherlands in semi-final one and Germany played New Zealand in semi-final two. Although a slow start against the Dutch, another convincing win of 5-1 lead GB through to their second final of the season. In the other semi, Germany also sailed through to the final with a 4-1 victory over NZL. Another international final to be battled out between GB and Germany. With a few early goals GB were up at half time 3-1. With confidence booming and a great team effort from all 7 players GB showed a strong performance and an excellent well deserved win of 7-2 and another Gold medal!!

Having won two consecutive finals GB are feeling confident, and with one last training weekend in Banbury to go, all players will be training harder and harder to fight it out for the ultimate goal of gold at the world championships in Canada 24th-27th July.

The other GB teams also put in some exceptional performances – an outstanding Gold from the U21 men beating the Germans in a close final, whilst the senior men showed that they are on form too, just outside the medals at 4th, loosing out to the French in a penalty shoot out in the semi-final.

For full results, see: http://www.nkv.be/kga/Flanderscup/