Got in in plenty of time, so had a chat with the boss about a few things that were coming up and also she asked how the handball was and whether I went to water polo in the end last night.
As it was India V Belgium up first we had ...
an influx of 'new faces' or at least not regulars as hockey is popular in India and Belgium and as it was the last group game there was a fair bit of interest. I can't remember the score as it was a pretty dull game to be honest. I think Belgium won convincingly though, but could easily be wrong.
Dinner was next as the supposed 'podium rehearsal' for Friday and Saturday night's awarding of medals was cancelled as the pitch needed watering and the podium hadn't turned up... I think chef has been photocopying last weeks menu and editing it slightly as tonight's choice was lemon and herb crusted pollock or Thai green vegetable curry with noodles. I went with the pollock and had a tomato and onion salad with it and some broccoli. Dessert was a small sliver of blackberries with coconut crumble. A big roar went up as we were all watching Sir Chris Hoy win his 6th Olympic gold and most Brits in there sang the national anthem when he stood proudly blubbering during it.
Outside again and into 'The gate' area for the small matter of GB V Spain. GB needed a point at minimum to get out their group and into the semi-finals. Spain needed to win to leapfrog us and get through. Super Ashley Jackson scored another trademark penalty corner. Then controversy and almost heartache at the end of the game for GB as Spain had so many chances but they failed to convert them. Having said that, the officials changed their minds after making a decision and it left us baffled, but ultimately happy. Spain's coaching staff and players were not impressed at the final buzzer, but thems the breaks.
Got to meet the lovely Helen Skelton before and after the game. She's so tiny though!!!
The heaven's had opened and the next game was what looked like being a dull and boring affair of New Zealand V Germany with both sides playing for pride as Germany were already assured of a semi-final place and NZ a classification game. However no-one had banked on a 10 goal thriller! NZ went 5-2 up at one stage, but Germany rallied back and showed why they are current gold medallists and tied the game late on with 1:13 left on the clock. On my way out later I met a couple of the NZ players and told them that I believed they were the better side and deserved to win. They thanked me, but were clearly still disappointed and upset they had thrown away a 3 goal lead.
Easy journey home though and looking forward to Thursday night where I hope to be pitchside for GB V Netherlands in the semi-final. Going to be really tough for GB in this game, but the passion and pride will lift them that bit more I expect.
Dinner was next as the supposed 'podium rehearsal' for Friday and Saturday night's awarding of medals was cancelled as the pitch needed watering and the podium hadn't turned up... I think chef has been photocopying last weeks menu and editing it slightly as tonight's choice was lemon and herb crusted pollock or Thai green vegetable curry with noodles. I went with the pollock and had a tomato and onion salad with it and some broccoli. Dessert was a small sliver of blackberries with coconut crumble. A big roar went up as we were all watching Sir Chris Hoy win his 6th Olympic gold and most Brits in there sang the national anthem when he stood proudly blubbering during it.
Outside again and into 'The gate' area for the small matter of GB V Spain. GB needed a point at minimum to get out their group and into the semi-finals. Spain needed to win to leapfrog us and get through. Super Ashley Jackson scored another trademark penalty corner. Then controversy and almost heartache at the end of the game for GB as Spain had so many chances but they failed to convert them. Having said that, the officials changed their minds after making a decision and it left us baffled, but ultimately happy. Spain's coaching staff and players were not impressed at the final buzzer, but thems the breaks.
Got to meet the lovely Helen Skelton before and after the game. She's so tiny though!!!
The heaven's had opened and the next game was what looked like being a dull and boring affair of New Zealand V Germany with both sides playing for pride as Germany were already assured of a semi-final place and NZ a classification game. However no-one had banked on a 10 goal thriller! NZ went 5-2 up at one stage, but Germany rallied back and showed why they are current gold medallists and tied the game late on with 1:13 left on the clock. On my way out later I met a couple of the NZ players and told them that I believed they were the better side and deserved to win. They thanked me, but were clearly still disappointed and upset they had thrown away a 3 goal lead.
Easy journey home though and looking forward to Thursday night where I hope to be pitchside for GB V Netherlands in the semi-final. Going to be really tough for GB in this game, but the passion and pride will lift them that bit more I expect.
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