Grand Masters Hockey European Cup-Neuss, Germany

21st - 26th August 2011

Daily Synopsis          
For more detailed match reports click on respective team > Where available click where underlined:-
England Grand Masters:  England Great Grand Masters:  England Senior Grand Masters:
LX Red Over 60's: LX Blue Over 65's: LX Red over 65's

Preliminary
The England Grand Masters, Great Grand Masters, Senior Grand Masters and three LX squads together with their faithful followers - totalling around 120 persons travelled by various means to Neuss in Germany and are staying at the Holiday Inn. 

The European Cup which is being held at HTC Schwarz Weiss Neuss was opened at Mid-day on Monday 22nd August 2011- practice facilities being available the previous day followed by a get together at the Hockey ground with complimentary drinks.

Day 1 Monday 22nd August
England and LX got off to a good start. The first match of the day (before the opening ceremony as England SGM who are the only team to have to play two games in a day) was England Senior Grand Masters against Germany which England won 1-0. Immediately after the opening ceremony England Grand Masters took on Italy and comfortably won 6-1. Next up were LX Red v LX Blue in the Tournament Trophy Over 65's which LX Red won 3-0. This was followed on the other pitch by LX Red over 60's playing Germany 2 also in the Tournament Trophy and LX Red won 3-0. Later in the afternoon England GGM played Holland and drew 0-0 and then at 7:20 pm England SGM played their second game of the day against Holland and won 3-1 thereby completing two wins in the day.

Day 2 Tuesday 23rd August
England and LX had a very good day. In the inter national games England Grand Masters beat Scotland 12 - 0 and the Great Grand Masters also beat Scotland 9 - 0. England SGM had a rest day having played two games the previous day.
In the Tournament Trophy competition LX Red over 60's beat Holland Two 4 - 0; LX Red over 65's also beat Holland Two over 65's 2 - 1 and LX Blue over 65's beat Alliance 2 - 1

Day 3 Wednesday 24th August
Both England and LX had a harder day today. England GM beat Belgium 3-2; England GGM had the day off and England SGM drew with Germany 0-0. LX Red over 60's had a good win against Wales Two by 9-0 but LX Blue over 65's lost to Holland two 3-0; LX Red over 65's had the day off.

Day 4 Thursday 25th August
A decision day for some teams. England GM beat Germany in the semi-finals 3 - 0 and now go onto to the final against Holland. England GGM won against Germany 6 - 2 to take an unassailable lead and England SGM won their last match against Holland 1 - 0 also to take an unassailable lead of 10 points out of a maximum of 12 points. LX Red over 60's beat Alliance 5 - 0 and LX Red over 65's beat Germany two 2 - 0. LX Blue over 65's had the day off.

Day 5 Friday 26th August  - The Final Day
England and LX gained a clean sweep. England GM beat Holland in the final match of the day by 2 - 1 and thus won Gold. England GGM having already secured their first place played Italy and won 12 - 0 and also won Gold. England SGM having played two games on the first day played their last game the day before and won Gold. LX Red over 60's having beaten Alliance 5 - 0 the day before had also completed their 4 games and secured Gold in the Tournament Trophy over 60's section and LX Red over 65's beat beat Alliance 6 - 0 to win Gold in the Tournament Trophy over 65's section. LX Blue over 65's final match was against Germany two whom they beat 1 - 0 to finish a very creditable 3rd in their section.