Hockey: Black Sticks end German campaign with loss

12.30pm

New Zealand ended the German leg of their pre-Olympic women's hockey campaign with a 0-2 loss to Germany at Bad Neuenahr yesterday.

Coach Ian Rutledge believed fatigue may have played a role in the result, which came after several matches over the previous week. Also, the team has trained twice a day when not playing to adjust to the expected heat in Athens.

Two days earlier they beat the Germans 3-1 in a practice match over three 25-minute periods but couldn't repeat the dose. Last week they lost 2-5 to the Germans.

The side were to complete one more training session before leaving for Athens.

Once in the Greek capital, pre-Games matches have been arranged against Australia, South Africa, the Netherlands and Korea.

- NZPA