England senior men came from a goal behind to beat World Champions Germany 3-2 in front of a 3000 strong crowd at Hamburg University.

Germany went ahead on the 17th minute through Niklas Meinert who fired home from the spot to take the lead.

Beeston’s Ali Wilson equalised on the half hour mark after Germany captain Philipp Crone gave the ball away to Barry Middleton.  Middleton passed to James Tindall who fed the ball through to Ali Wilson who made no mistake in finding the back of the net making the score 1-1 at half time.

Tindall, who won his 50th England cap in today’s game, went from supplier to scorer as England took the lead on 38 minutes when Brett Garrard won the ball and passed to Jonty Clarke.  Clarke eliminated a couple of players and knocked the ball across the face of the goal for Tindall to tap in.

Germany equalised on the 54th minute when Oscar Deecke scored from a rebounded Penalty Corner, but Tindall was on hand five minutes later to put the visitors in front again.  The ball was slipped left to Tindall from a Penalty Corner and he flicked the ball into the roof of the net to score his second and England’s third of the game.

Reading’s Richard Springham won his first international cap in today’s game, with Martin Jones winning his 100th international cap.  James Tindall won his 50th England cap.

The match marked the opening of a newly laid pitch at the University of Hamburg, a regional performance centre for Germany. More than 3000 spectators turned up to watch the encounter providing a good atmosphere.

Manager Pete Nicholson was pleased with the performance “It was a pretty even match today, and I’m pleased with they way we performed in front of a vociferous crowd.”

Source: England Hockey