"VAN" (Sports Desk - 23.06.2025) :: The final day of the FIH Nations Cup 2 delivered everything fans could have hoped for – drama, skill, heartbreak, and celebration. From a pulsating final where France edged Uruguay in a shootout classic, to Wales securing bronze with a gritty win over Poland, the tournament wrapped up in unforgettable style. Czechia staged a remarkable comeback to claim fifth, while Malaysia edged South Africa in another tense shootout to round off an action-packed day in Walcz.
France (3) 3-3 (1) Uruguay
An unforgettable final saw France and Uruguay deliver a classic filled with grit, flair, and a frenetic final five minutes that had everything. Uruguay took the early lead through Manuela Quinones after a blistering run from Manuela Vilar tore through the French defence. France hit back before the break with a powerful reverse stick finish from Mathilde Duffrene.
It was Duffrene again who gave France the lead in the third quarter via a penalty corner, but the late drama was still to come. Uruguay equalised with four minutes to go through Vilar, before France surged ahead again just 49 seconds later thanks to a mazy Yohanna Lhopital run. With just seconds left, Sol Amadeo’s feather-touch finish sent the game to a shootout.
Lucie Ehrmann was the hero, saving three shootout efforts to hand France the crown.
Mathilde Duffrene, the player of the match, could not hide her emotion:
“There is a lot of emotion and I'm not even sure where to begin. There are always sacrifices to get here, and I'm so proud of the team. The dream was to earn the FIH Nations Cup place, and we are delighted to have achieved that.”
Wales 1-0 Poland
In the only game of the day to not go to a shootout it was a battle of two brilliant defenses, both looking to end the tournament on a high. A first half that saw Wales dominate possession, but fail to find the final touch or combination would pass by without troubling the scorer.
The games defining moment would come early in the second half. The penalty corner shot was well saved by Kucharska but Lily Roberts was on hand for the rebound and would fire in the goal that would ultimately prove to be the bronze medal winning goal.
Elizabeth Bingham, was pleased mostly with the team effort after the game:
“We were really disappointed on our performance yesterday and we wanted to come out on top today. We don’t rely on individuals we rely on our team effort. Im really proud of the team today.”
Czechia (2) 3-3 (1) Italy
Czechia and Italy served up a thriller in the 5th/6th playoff. Czechia struck first via Linda Nova, but Italy responded quickly with two goals in under a minute through Victoria Cabut and Lola Brea to lead at the end of the first quarter. Frederica Carta extended the Italian lead in the second half, but Czechia refused to go quietly.
A second goal from Nova and a dramatic penalty stroke conversion by Natalie Hajkova with just nine seconds on the clock sent the game to a shootout. Nikol Babicka held her nerve to convert the decisive effort for Czechia.
Katerina Lacina was once again delighted with the fight:
“We didn’t give up today and we produced a great fight back. Its an important lesson to learn for the team and one we have to take forward to future games.”
South Africa (3) 1-1 (4) Malaysia
South Africa’s final game of the tournament was filled with missed chances and frustration. Thati Zulu hit the crossbar in a dominant first half, while several other chances went begging. Malaysia weathered the storm and then struck first through Nur Azhar in the final quarter.
With four minutes remaining, Charne Maddocks gave South Africa hope, smashing home the equaliser to take the game to a shootout. Fatin Sukri stepped up for Malaysia and calmly slotted the winner to claim 7th place.
Juliani Din, was delighted with the result:
“It was important to get the win today. South Africa are a very good side so I am proud of my team. We have a young team and I am so proud to play with them!”
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