EuroHockey 2013: German coach dismisses England women

Georgie Twigg

Germany coach Jamilon Muelders says his team are "not afraid" of facing England in Saturday's EuroHockey final.

England's women beat Olympic champions the Netherlands to reach the final but Muelders said: "I really don't understand why they were so hyped.

"It is a lot of fitness, skill-limited players, just one or two more talented. We have respect but I am not afraid."

England's Georgie Twigg said: "If we play like we played [against the Dutch], Germany don't stand a chance."

Germany beat England 2-1 when the two met in the group stages of this tournament in Belgium, and have beaten the English in several other uncapped friendly fixtures during training periods earlier this year.

"They were pushed with their home Olympics and they won bronze. But we have played them four times this year and we have beaten them four times," Muelders told German broadcaster SWR.

According to SWR, Muelders picked out England captain Kate Walsh and striker Alex Danson as key players. But he intimated that Walsh had passed her peak at the age of 32.

Germany finished seventh at London 2012 without facing Team GB, who were in a different group at the Games.

"In the pool match we were unlucky [against Germany]," said England goalkeeper Maddie Hinch. "We played very well. The game could have gone either way.

"Hopefully, the momentum [of winning against the Netherlands] will throw us into that final in full throttle. I'm excited at what we might produce on the day."

Twigg added: "We know we can beat Germany. Bring on the final."