Great Britain yearn for home after disappointing defeat in Germany
Great Britain’s home Pro League matches cannot come soon enough after they were beaten 2-0 by Germany in Monchengladbach. A Hannah Gablac double proved the difference for the hosts as Great Britain lacked rhythm over 60 minutes and were indebted to goalkeeper Amy Tennant for keeping them in the game.
Hollie Pearne-Webb, the Great Britain captain, said: “We had some good scrambled defence, but we gave too many turnover balls. We need to learn those lessons.”
Britain entered this clash the fresher of the two teams after six Surbiton players were denied the opportunity to play in the European Cup over Easter. Meanwhile, Germany’s internationals played three games in six days for their respective clubs.
Yet, the hosts looked far from tired and had the best opportunities in the opening 30 minutes. Tennant was called into action with crucial kicker clearances, while Amy Costello and Laura Unsworth were calm in defence.
But it was Lily Owsley who was the standout player with several flurries in attack and two stick saves at the back.
Britain’s best chance came via Giselle Ansley’s powerful drag flick early in the second half, but midfielder Charlotte Stapenhorst, who studied at Repton College, produced a superb penalty corner save on the line.
Germany were rewarded for their circle penetration in the 38th minute when Gablac latched on to slap ball into the circle, with her strike on the spin beating Tennant.
The third quarter was all Germany, with player-of-the-match Stapenhorst a danger in the British circle and Julia Sonntag a virtual spectator in Germany’s goal.
With five minutes left, Tennant was taken off to leave Britain with 11 outfield players and open at the back. It did not take long for Germany to make inroads as Gablac tucked home into an empty net with two minutes remaining.
The match had earlier been delayed for 45 minutes due to heavy rain in front of a sparse crowd. That will change from this weekend when Britain play their first Pro League home against USA on Saturday at a packed Lee Valley.
GB have 10 matches left in the inaugural Pro League, eight of those at home. They are seventh in the Pro League standings.
