England Korfball team play in World Championship Preseason
Tournament
Four nations played in a World Championship preparation tournament
in Eindhoven, The Netherlands, on August 19th, hosted by Dutch
club DSC.
England beat Germany : 8-7
The Netherlands beat Hungary : 24-12
Germany beat Hungary : 14 -11 (3rd-4th playoff)
The Netherlands beat England : 27-6 (Final)
The tournament was a great success. All the teams could see
how far they were in preparation for the World Championships
which are to be held in Brno, Czech Republic from 1st November
to 11th November. Germany and The Netherlands used this tournament
as a start of their tournament preparations whilst Hungary
and England consolidated upon months of training.
The first game of the tournament was a typically close affair
with England and Germany never letting each other out of sight.
The difference in the score was not more than one goal for
the whole game. Germany was leading the whole game and only
the last fifteen minutes of the second half England took over
the lead and never let it go.
Hungary started surprisingly well against favourite The Netherlands,
2-2 in the beginning of the game and a little bit further
in the first half the score was 6-4. But then The Netherlands
showed their supremacy and pulled away. Half time score was
13-6.
In the second half, Hungary continued their good performance
against current World Champions with a patient and well organised
attack which frustrated their fancied opponents. Nevertheless
The Netherlands were never in trouble and won the game quite
comfortable.
In the game Germany - Hungary, both teams used this game
as an opportunity to see some new faces in their starting
lineup.
The German ladies took a leading role in the goalscoring
against their Hungarian opponents. Also a very close game
in the first half, with Germany leading the game.
At 8-8 in the second half, Hungary looked like they may overwhelm
Germany but Germany recovered well in time and pulled away
again in the closing minutes of the game, 13-9. A last attempt
by Hungary to win the match made an exciting finish but Germany
finally won 14-11.
In the last game, The Netherlands showed no mercy against
England and pulled away with some exciting korfball, 8-0.
Only a penalty was given away and just before half time England
managed to score a field goal.
The Netherlands were dominating the collecting and pressing
the passing game of England. England played good korfball,
but failed to collect the shots, giving them few opportunities
to repeat some good attacks.
During the second half, The Netherlands gave away a shooting
exhibition on the attacking end and controlled the game completely
in defence.
A little change in the organisation of England created some
chances to score, but The Netherlands were too strong for
England, 27-6.
About 500 spectators over the whole day could watch some
exciting international korfball. All the teams where satisfied
at the end, given a great opportunity to play friendlies against
each other.
DSC was a perfect host and everybody can look back at a successful
weekend.
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