The German men’s team won the three match test series against Great Britain. After both teams drew the first two matches(2-2 and 4-4), Germany finally won the third one (2-1) and claimed the victory in the series.

Match 1: Germany – Great Britain 2-2 (0-1)
Goals Germany: Sebastian Draghaun 42 (PC), Florian Zeller 48 (F).
Goals Great Britain: Simon Mantell 24 (F), Jonty Clarke 69 (F).

Great Britain’s men’s side held World Champions Germany to a 2-2 draw in the first of three Test Matches being played in Dusseldorf as both teams begin their warm-up for Beijing in three months time.

This was the first match for both sides after securing qualification for the Olympic Games and it was Britain who took the lead in the 24th minute through Simon Mantell following a good move down the right hand side which resulted in an excellent pass from Matt Daly which left the youngest of the Mantell brothers just to deflect home with a reverse stick hit to put the Brits 1-0 up, an advantage which they took in to half time.

A second half double strike from the World Champions saw them take the lead as Sebastian Draghuan converted a penalty corner in the 42nd minute and then Florian Zeller firing home from an open goal six minutes later.

A 69th minute strike from Reading’s Jonty Clarke forced the draw after Ashley Jackson won the ball well in midfield and broke into the circle, passing to Clarke whose shot from the right hand post nestled nicely in the net to make it 2-2 with no time for a reply from the home side.

Germany was the last country to qualify for the men’s Olympic tournament and did so without conceding a goal in six matches. 

Match 2: German – Great Britain 4-4 (3-2)
Goals Germany: Niklas Meinert 2 (F), Sebastian Draguhn 4 (F), Matthais Witthaus 27,65 (PC,PC)
Goals Great Britain: Matt Daly 13 (PC), Richard Mantell 19,39,53 (PC,PS,PC).

Great Britain drew the second of their three test matches against World Champions Germany 4-4 in a pulsating end to end game which saw Richard Mantell net a hat-trick of set pieces in front of a good crowd in Essen.

Britain were 2-0 down within four minutes with the only two open play goals of the game as Niklas Meinert struck in the second minute and team-mate Sebastian Draguhn added to his goal in yesterday’s match following a flowing move down the right hand side.

Surbiton’s Matt Daly reduced the deficit on the 13th minute as he converted a penalty corner and six minutes later, Britain were back on track as Mantell equalised with another penalty corner goal. 

Matthais Witthaus replied for the home side on the 27th minute to regain the lead which they took into half time making it 3-2 at the break.

Britain made it even stevens just after the interval when Mantell made no mistake from the penalty spot when a stroke was awarded following a foul in the circle on James Tindall as he moved to strike. 

Mantell took his tally of goals to three with another set piece goal in the 53rd minute to take the lead for the Brits for the first time in the game, but it was an advantage they could not retain as the World Champions hit back through Witthaus who scored his second of the match with just five minutes left on the clock to save the draw for the hosts.

Assistant Coach Dave Bunyan said “The team has progressed today with the work they are doing on outletting and this reflects an open game.”

Match 3: Germany – Great Britain 2-1 (0-0)
Goals Germany: Sebastian Draguhn 50 (PC), Jan Marco Montag 58 (PC)
Goals Great Britain: Richard Mantell 55 (PC)

Great Britain lost out to in the third and final Test against World Champions Germany in Dusseldorf with Richard Mantell equalising after Sebastian Draguhn had put the hosts ahead, before Jan Marco Montag scored the winner in the 58th minute.  Penalty Corners once again dominated the game with all three goals being scored via this route.

The first half saw Germany have three penalty corners, none of which came to anything, and a chance for James Tindall with a close reverse stick shot, but neither team could break the deadlock and a 0-0 score at half time reflected an even 35 minutes.

The game came to life as it entered the swinging 50s and Sebastian Draguhn maintained his record of scoring in each Test when he opened Germany’s account on the 50th minute.  Richard Mantell equalised five minutes later – meaning the Mantell brothers have also scored in each of the three Tests – before Montag delivered a direct flick to win the game with 12 minutes left on the clock.

Assistant Coach Dave Bunyan said “This is the second time we have played on this pitch out here.  It is a fast surface which demands a fast game which led to turnover from both teams.  This was the closest battle yet”.

Great Britain continue their warm-up for Beijing next month when they travel to Dublin to take part in the Setanta Trophy.  GB women will play Argentina in two Test Matches on Monday and Tuesday this week and they will also participate in the Setanta Trophy in June.

Source: GB Hockey ltd.