Olympics Dec 07, 2025

Team GB's women beat New Zealand to reach Olympic hockey final

👤
By Admin
Sports Journalist
Team GB's women beat New Zealand to reach Olympic hockey final

Great Britain are guaranteed a silver medal after beating New Zealand 3-0 in the semi-finals of the women's Olympic Games hockey tournament.

A goal and a penalty stroke from Alex Danson and another penalty stroke from Helen Richardson-Walsh were enough to see Team GB through to a clash with the Netherlands, who beat Germany in a thrilling shootout.

Victory ensures Britain's best women's hockey performance, beating the bronze medal they earned with a win over New Zealand at London 2012, and they head into the final on a seven-game winning streak.

Great Britain's superb defence again continued to impress, keeping out four penalty corner attempts from the Black Sticks and making the most of their limited attacking chances.

Danson gave Britain the lead on 21 minutes when she reacted quickest to poke a rebound goalwards, although the last touch came off a New Zealand defender on the line.

They held on to the advantage in the third period despite nasty looking facial injuries to Crista Cullen and Georgie Twigg, who were both forced to leave the field to have blood injuries assessed, although neither is expected to miss the final.

There was also an injury scare for Richardson-Walsh who appeared to hurt her hamstring after scoring with GB's first penalty stroke, given for a professional foul by New Zealand captain Kayla Whitelock - she said after the game the hamstring was just sore.

That goal, two minutes into the final period, was followed four minutes later by another decisive penalty stroke, converted by Danson after Lily Owsley was cynically caught from behind.

Cullen, who had stitches in a head wound, said: "Playing the New Zealanders, it is always going to be a physical
battle.

"I've got a few stitches, but I've no idea how many. I was just telling him (medic) to hurry up because my team needed me. It's a good win, and now we move forward to the final.

"We have worked really hard on our culture, trying to create a winning mentality, and we have a huge amount of attacking threat, which we have demonstrated through numerous scorers in this tournament.

"It is difficult for an opposition team to cover everybody. To fight for an Olympic medal is what gets us up every morning, let alone to be in a gold medal match. We are hugely proud of where we have got. Our expectation coming here was a gold medal." 

Earlier, the Netherlands defeated Germany 4-3 in a penalty shootout after a 1-1 draw in regulation play, although it took 14 shots before Ellen Hoog scored the game winner.

Tags:

olympics news id:10541235

Share this article

Related Posts

Sky announces new partnership with Team GB and ParalympicsGB for 2026 Milan Cortina and 2028 Los Angeles Games

Sky announces new partnership with Team GB and ParalympicsGB for 2026 Milan Cortina and 2028 Los Angeles Games

Sky has announced a new partnership with Team GB and ParalympicsGB, reinforcing its commitment to British sport, and bringing the country together aro...

Snoop Dogg: Rapper named honorary Team USA coach for 2026 Winter Olympics

Snoop Dogg: Rapper named honorary Team USA coach for 2026 Winter Olympics

Snoop Dogg has been appointed Team USA's first-ever honorary coach for the 2026 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games at Milano Cortina.The United State...

Kelly Gallagher: GB’s first Winter Paralympic gold medallist on Russian participation, advising GB and trusting your guide

Kelly Gallagher: GB’s first Winter Paralympic gold medallist on Russian participation, advising GB and trusting your guide

Kelly Gallagher is a bit of a legend in Para-sports circles, certainly for any British & Northern Irish Team. Kelly is visually impaired, but has...

Winter Olympics 2026: Matt Weston and Tabby Stoecker win mixed team skeleton gold for Team GB

Winter Olympics 2026: Matt Weston and Tabby Stoecker win mixed team skeleton gold for Team GB

Matt Weston and Tabby Stoecker teamed up to claim Olympic gold in the mixed team skeleton competition.Weston was a dominant winner of the men's title...

Winter Paralympics 2026: Schedule, dates, sports, Team GB medal hopes and more for Milano Cortina Games

Winter Paralympics 2026: Schedule, dates, sports, Team GB medal hopes and more for Milano Cortina Games

Everything you need to know ahead of the 14th Winter Paralympics, held in Milano Cortina, Italy for the second time.  Sky are partners with Team GB an...

Elise Christie: Former speed skater reveals cost of Olympics dream amid self harm and struggles to make ends meet

Elise Christie: Former speed skater reveals cost of Olympics dream amid self harm and struggles to make ends meet

The prize for winning a race one day had been a chocolate selection box, rather than the glimmer of your standard trophy. Elise Christie decided she w...