Grassick scores but GB defeated

Great Britain men lost the final match of their three-match Test Series with Germany in Mannheim.

Captain Phil Roper and Chris Grassick were both on target for GB but this wasn’t enough to fight back against a powerful start from the hosts. It was Grassick’s first goal for GB since his comeback from injury that saw him out of action for a year.

Chris Grassick and Alan Forsyth
Chris Grassick and Alan Forsyth

Germany raced into a 3-0 lead through Martin Haner, Ole Thies Prinz and Niklas Bruns before Mats Grambush and Constantin Staib also found the net.

There were landmark appearances for Ollie Willars who made his 100th international appearance and Henry Weir who picked up his 50th GB cap.

Speaking after the match head coach Bobby Crutchley said: “It was a poor start to the game conceding three goals in eight minutes. The players must learn that international hockey demands the highest intensity from the first whistle.

“Our good spells later in the game were in vain but we have learnt much over the three games here in Mannheim.”

Germany flew out the blocks and raced into a three-goal lead inside the first ten minutes through goals from Haner, Prinz and Bruns.

Captain Roper gave GB a lifeline on thirteen minutes from a penalty corner but his German counterpart Grambusch cancelled this out before the half-time break.

The second half was a much tighter contest and it took until 52 minutes for the game’s next goal when Staib found the target. GB struck back a minute later through Grassick to finish the scoring.

Harry Gibson (GK), Ollie Willars, Brendan Creed, Henry Weir, Harry Martin, Phil Roper (C), Adam Dixon, Barry Middleton, , Ed Horler, James Gall, David Goodfield

Subs (Used): George Pinner, James Albery, David Condon, Liam Ansell, Chris Grassick, Alan Forsyth, Luke Taylor

 

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