The Spanish field hockey team beat France (4-2) in the first match of the double confrontation of the FIH Pro League, after a duel in which the ‘Redsticks’ subdued their opponent with a great attack that gave them their second victory in the competition.
The match started in the best of ways for Spain, who prevailed over France from the first bars with dangerous attacks from the left wing and after four minutes came the first opportunity from the penalty corner, where Alonso did not fail to make it 1-0.
Interestingly, on the rival bench was the coach who opted for the scorer, Frenchman Fred Soyez, who ceased to be in charge of the national team after the Olympic Games. France also had their chance from the corner penalty, but the ‘Redsticks’ defense rejected the shot.
Dávila was close to scoring the second after a great individual play, but Thieffry stopped the shot and as soon as the second quarter began, Charlet tied the match from the penalty corner. Despite the draw, Spain felt comfortable on the offensive plot and dominated the pace of the game.
In one of the numerous Spanish attacks, Dávila put the hosts ahead again (m.21) and Sanz sent a shot high. It seemed that Max Caldas’ team had controlled the game, but Baumgarten equalized the result again with a powerful shot that was impossible for Garín to stop. Spain had a chance from a corner penalty before the break to score the third, but the French goalkeeper prevented it.
After a few equal minutes, with alternations, Spain pressed hard in the third quarter through good individual plays by Gispert and Lacalle who went out and a Miralles corner penalty that the French goalkeeper avoided while Rafi saved the ‘Redsticks’ with a great save on Baumgarten.
In the last quarter, Miralles materialized a penalty stroke (m.51) and Recasens took advantage of the fact that France was without a goalkeeper to make it 4-2 with an accurate shot (m.57) and thus sentence the first match against the French team.