More Eurohockey2015

So a week of wonderful Hockey at Queen Elizabeth II Olympic Park helped by the superb Hockey Makers all volunteers! had tickets for 26th/27th evening sessions 28th all day including the two semi-finals the Women's two semi-finals all the games were reasonably well supported England's Women's semi-final probably the best. Enjoyed all the matches including 0-0 draw Spain's Women's game and England's Men losing their semi-final to the Germans 3-2 on Pens again! the event was very well organised a covered out door bar eating area and a row of stalls selling food from each of the competing Country's Pie an Mash for England. Friday 28th the all day sessions included Ned 1-0 Germ and Eng 2-1 Esp Woman's semi-finals the England game was a very tense affair Fantastic atmosphere in the Stadium had seat in the West stand nearly on the centre line great vocal support and plenty of England flag waving, went home by Overground  still on a High so much that I booked a ticket for the final as soon as I got home needed 3 goe's as Ticketmasters website really didn't give you enough time to go through all questions. I eventually got ticket S1 row A seat 3 which was a goal end but not behind the protective mesh screen turn out to be a brilliant position sat next to Dutch couple whose daughter was playing for the Nederlands, (No 24 Eva DE GOEDE ) but getting ahead of myself, first game on Sunday 28th started at 9am so wife gave me a lift to Cannonbury Station at 8 on the platform it seemed very quiet and no train listed on indicator looked at timetable and first train to Stratford 9.32 and it wasn't going to Stratford but Hackney Wick and bus to Stratford doh thanks TFL. Lucky there was a guy in ticketoffice who said take a overground train to Canada Water and Jubilee tube to Stratford yippee, eventually got into Stadium at 9.30 in 2rd quarter of 1st game Bel 4-1 Ital then saw Scotland beat Poland 2-0 good for them! 1hour break before afternoon session, so a walk around bought Tshirt in one of the various shops something to eat and back to seat for Bronze medal game Ger 5-1 Esp bit of a walkover, all these games were in the Woman's group now for the big one England v Nederland's by then the Stadium was full and atmosphere fuelled by a pimms and beers electric. The anthems were sung by the Olympic GameMakers Choir and Countess of Wessex, The first couple of quarters the Dutch had most of the game and at halftime it wasn't looking good for England but the crowd was still roaring them on after halftime Dutch got two goals they deserved? and the Dutch couple next to be well pleased and vocal luckily the English Women were stronger than some in crowd and pulled back the score to 2-2 with a couple of penalty corners. Which took the game to penalties tense or what! fortunately the shoot out was at the same end as I was and had a brilliant view of the action the English girls held their nerve and forwards knocked in 3 goals and Maddie Hinch our keeper played superbly and stopped 3 of the Dutch strikers best efforts! after last save which gave us the game she tore off her protective gear and race to the corner flag just in front of me and a rather quiet Dutch couple now the rest of the team just piled on top and she disappeared under a sea of bodies. After the girls untangled themselves they were off for tour of the pitch waving flags clapping the crowd, the fans still going wild, as that was happening the #HockeyMakers came onto the pitch to many cheers and applause. The Bronze medal team Germany and runner ups Nederland had their medals presenter by the Countess of Wessex then it was turn of England for their Trophy and medals, more cheering flag waving then team off for another tour of the pitch. Much photo taking and medal viewing, the Dutch couple left full of praise for crowd and English team the fans started to drift away apart from autograph hunters and some people including me taking more pics some England players brought their children onto pitch great scenes, My cameras battery was just about flat so started on the long and winding walk back to Stratford Station with much Hi-Fiveing and good wishes from #HockeyMakers along route. Trip home was quiet quick on the overground good connections, a lift from station and soon indoors still buzzing so a couple! of wines and on Twitter posting pics Great day. The next day Monday the BBC Red Button had the full game on including celebrations after Buzzing again! well that's about it rather long rambling text but its been a long and rambling week ;-)  Chris Lee  PS lots of luck to Rosa and Sophie ( EIS ) in their new careers and Thanks for everything XX