Rio 2016 Olympics hockey: Team GB set sights on gold after bruising semi-final

Down, not out: Georgie Twigg receives medical treatment
(David Rogers/Getty Images)
Rod Gilmour18 August 2016

There were ice packs and blood stains wherever you looked in the aftermath of Great Britain women’s dizzying 3-0 win over New Zealand last night. Some players were hobbling, some were still visibly shaking with emotion.

But as some of the 16-strong squad recounted their historic feats in reaching tomorrow’s final at the Olympic Hockey Centre, all agreed they could go one better and become Britain’s first team sport to win gold since the men’s victory at the 1988 Seoul Games.

In guaranteeing silver, Britain set up a clash against the Netherlands, the world No 1 side, thanks to an Alex Danson brace and penalty from Helen Richardson-Walsh.

Georgie Twigg and Crista Cullen received blows to the head during a brutal encounter, but both returned to the blue surface as Britain bettered their two bronze medals in Barcelona and London.

“I’m in shock. You saw it all out there,” said defender Sam Quek. “Two of our girls hit and drawing blood and we still got it going. We are tight, we are solid and we are definitely out to get that gold.”

Danny Kerry’s side have been the stand-out team in Rio and are one match away from recording a record eighth successive win.

Britain have never defeated the Dutch in six Olympic matches. However, as England, they beat the world and Olympic champions to win last summer’s European Championships in London.

“They’ve never liked playing against us,” said Lily Owsley, the GB forward. “We’ve got the better of them a few times this cycle. But we’ll give the Dutch the respect they deserve. Who better to face? It’s all set up for the perfect final.”

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The squad have become potential world-beaters after a whirlwind two years when England — effectively the Team GB side in Rio — finished 11th at the 2014 World Cup. Kerry returned as a coach, a clear-the-air meeting was held, a silver gained at the Commonwealth Games — and then they qualified for the Olympics in style.

“No one can come through us,” added Danson, who now has five tournament goals. “I don’t think I have ever seen a team defend like that in our circle. We will take that confidently into the final. Debrief, and off we go.”

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