Hockey: Athens here we come

By DAVID LEGGAT

The Blacks Sticks can pop out and buy a pile of Greek phrase books today in preparation for the Athens Olympics.

They join the New Zealand men's team in heading for Greece after winning an automatic spot at the final qualifying tournament last night with a 1-1 draw against Germany at Lloyd Elsmore Park.

And although the scoreline was not what they had in mind - even though they won the pool - any misgivings lasted a nano-second amid the delight of reaching world sport's big show for the fourth time.

"I never thought I'd celebrate a draw," quipped New Zealand coach Ian Rutledge as he and his players soaked in their emotions of the night.

It was a special night for Black Sticks goalkeeper Helen Clarke, in particular. The sole survivor from the Barcelona Games 12 years ago, she's heading for her third Games.

"To go to one is very special. To make a third is fantastic," she said.

The tension was eased before the start as a result of Great Britain's 2-0 win over Ireland in the preceding game. That meant world No 9 New Zealand could afford to lose by three goals and still finish in the top two, thus avoiding the crossover playoff games to sort out the fifth and final qualifier for Athens.

So it could have become an easy, no-risk draw, which would have suited both teams.

Fat chance. A record crowd of more than 3000 - New Zealand Hockey's money men were smiling even before the players last night - watched a robust scrap with plenty of bruises, and the odd insult traded as both teams put their foot down in search of the win.

"We always knew it would be a tough battle," captain Suzie Muirhead said. "Germany don't give an inch and we don't either. That's international hockey, it was tough and tight, because we both wanted to go to the Olympics."

The first half was generally even, the world No 8 Germans probably shaded the second, and New Zealand needing a Lisa Walton deflected shot to get the equaliser 15 minutes from the end.

In contrast to their games against Great Britain and Ukraine, New Zealand settled quickly.

True to expectations, Germany played an organised, patterned style, but did not unduly trouble the Black Sticks defence, apart from the occasional scramble in front of goal.

However, the strong, forceful Germans grew in confidence and had a clear ascendancy in penalty corners, 6-0 by the end.

Striker Niniwa Roberts-Lang had New Zealand's best chance of the half, but her deflection of a long-range Muirhead drive flew just wide of the German goal.

The Black Sticks almost went ahead with an own goal, German goalkeeper Louisa Walter pushing a deflection off a defender past the post.

The German goal came a minute before the break. They won possession 30m out and experienced Heike Latzsch slapped a fine shot past Clarke.

However, Walton's equaliser - which prompted a bout of angry German foot stamping and gesticulating - made sure there would be no late nerves, the final whistle bringing whoops and hugs of delight for both teams.

"It was jubilation, then relief," Muirhead said of her emotions at the final whistle. "For a lot of the girls it's their first time at the Olympics and I'm really pleased their hard work has paid off."

New Zealand play Spain and Japan face Germany in tomorrow's top-four playoffs.

Japan were surprisingly convincing in beating world No 6 Korea 4-0 yesterday and go to the Olympics for the first time.

The United States' 3-0 win over a lethargic Spain keeps them in the hunt, along with the Koreans for the fifth and final Olympic spot. They join Britain and Ireland in the crossover playoffs for one place, starting tomorrow morning.

Britain will play Korea in what is shaping as a crucial contest, with one of the world's top six teams being bumped out of Games contention, and the Irish meet the United States.