Goals England-Belgium:
- 12′ 0-1 Boon
- 32′ 1-1 Ward
- 41 ‘1-2 Briels
- 52′ 1-3 Boon
- 54′ 2-3 Ward
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After the defeat against the Netherlands in the semifinals, the Red Lions had actually already shifted their focus to the big goal of next summer: the Games in Tokyo. Still, they had to try to recharge themselves before the match for the bronze.
Against England, where the Lions lost 2-1 in the group stage, there was also something to make up for. The Belgians started well and immediately claimed the ball. At the end of quarter 1, Boon converted the dominance into a lead, via a penalty shot.
Also in Q2, the Lions continued to have the best of the game, but Boon and Dockier were unable to complete their chances. The cliché is that the goal then falls on the other side, something that also happened now. Ward took advantage of England’s 4th penalty corner: the boards were back in balance.
The sudden equalizer gave the English wings. The Belgians folded back for a while, but climbed back up just in time. Captain Briels, who has been under a bit of pressure in recent weeks, deviated a shot from Van Aubel through the legs of the English goalkeeper: 1-2.
When a little later Boon scored the 1-3 via penalty corner, the match seemed decided, but nonchalance on the part of the Belgians ensured an exciting finish. Ward rammed a penalty corner into goal, but England did not get further than the connecting goal.
Just like in 2007, the Red Lions take bronze at the European Championship. A formality in the run-up to Tokyo, to which the Belgian hockey men can descend with an extra boost of confidence.
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