GB’s men beat Spain in Olympic opener

Great Britain 4 (2)

Park (13’, FG); Furlong (16’, PC; 48’, PC); Shipperley (58’, FG)

Spain 0 (0)

On a damp Paris morning Great Britain’s men got their Olympic campaign off to a good start with 4-0 win over Spain, the goals coming from Nick Park, a Gareth Furlong brace and Rupert Shipperley.  Whilst Spain edged GB in possession and chances, they were unable to convert them and GB proved to be clinical in scoring theirs.

The game started at a frenetic pace and Spain had the majority of attacking opportunities in the first quarter, including multiple circle entries and two penalty corners.  

Against the run of play on 13 minutes Nick Park stole the ball from a Spanish defender just inside their half and had a clear run in on goal down the left.  With the goalkeeper to beat as he ran toward goal, he calmly opened his body and flicked the ball past Calzado high into the net, to make it 1-0.  

Despite further Spanish pressure Great Britain extended their lead early in the second quarter.  Again capitalising on a Spanish mistake, Zach Wallace turned over the ball and attacked the circle shooting on the reverse.  His strike was saved but led to a penalty corner after Will Calnan was fouled going for the rebound.  Gareth Furlong coolly dispatched a low drag flick into the bottom left hand corner from the penalty corner to make it 2-0.  

In a breathtaking end to the half Spain continued to press and create chances, but these were matched at the other end by GB including another penalty corner, this time Furlong’s drag flick was saved.

By contrast the third quarter was relatively quiet with fewer chances for both teams.  Spain forced a penalty corner which was easily saved by Ollie Payne and Will Calnan created a half chance on the counter for GB, but the pass into the circle failed to reach one of his teammates. 

The final fifteen minutes saw multiple chances for both teams as Spain pushed to get back into the game and Great Britain’s men continued to counter attack.  It was GB that effectively killed off the game after 48 minutes.  Great skills from Jack Waller running in on the right hand goal line earned another penalty corner and Gareth Furlong stepped up to convert another low drag flick.  The goalkeeper got a stick to it but was unable to keep it out due to the pace of the ball.

GB’s fourth goal was reward for Rupert Shipperley and his work across the game.  A Zach Wallace run into the circle, saw a pass across the penalty spot to Will Calnan who deflected it to Shipperley on the right hand post.  His first attempt was saved, but then converted the rebound flicking over the keeper to make it 4-0. 

A superb start and three points for GB’s men. They go again tomorrow against South Africa at 7.15pm UK time.

Feeling inspired by the hockey in Paris? Get involved and pick up a stick this summer, there is plenty on offer for you.