Irish face a damage limitation exercise

WOMEN'S HOCKEY: So, for the first time this week the Irish women will face a team they are unlikely to beat, writes Johnny Watterson in Barcelona.

While Germany have never won any of the five previous European Championships (Holland has won four, England one) they have lost two finals and twice won the bronze medal.

Ireland's best ever showing was fifth in the first event in Lille in 1984, but 10th place in Cologne in 1999 does not augur well for an upset in their third pool match this afternoon against a side, who along with Holland and England are considered possible champions.

Even Irish coach Riet Kuper, unfailingly positive about her side, knows this contest must be approached with damage limitation in mind. Germany, in their matches against Wales and Ukraine have scored 12 goals, while Ireland after beating Wales and Italy have three.

The Irish part-timers against a German full-time squad is much like an Eircom league selection lining out against Germany's national football side and Ireland must hope to come away from the game feeling they competed at some level to go into their match against Ukraine tomorrow with some positive momentum.

"Technically they are very good. They are a nice team to play against, a team we have played a lot in practice. I think the team will look forward to this match," said Kuper about Germany.

There was no need to expand.

Certainly Ireland's first-half performance against Italy was strong and controlled, while the final phase of the second half was fraught and chaotic. They may also have concern about conceding corners.

Italy's poor return of one goal from 10 set pieces will not be repeated by the German's, who scored five of their eight goals against the Ukraine from short corners, with four different players on the score sheet. That suggests they have a number of routines, all of them lethally effective.

In Ireland's favour, those who played last year in Perth will have learned from their World Cup experience about how to approach the professional teams and to what level they must aspire. But it will be a struggle.