The Argentina women’s team has claimed a record seventh Champions Trophy title with a 2-1 win over reigning World and Olympic champions, The Netherlands, in the final at the Lee Valley Hockey and Tennis Centre here.
First quarter goals from Martina Cavallero and Noel Barrionuevo gave Las Leonas a 2-0 lead to stun the top-ranked Dutch, who were missing team captain and talisman Maartje Paumen through injury.
The Netherlands hit back with a high quality penalty corner flick from Eva de Goede just after half time, but Argentina held on to win their third successive Champions Trophy title.
“We didn’t play our best yesterday but we were playing for nothing and it is always different for us in a final,” said Argentina captain Carla Rebecchi, who as well as finishing the competition as top scorer with seven goals was also named as the competition’s best player.
Argentina players celebrate after defeating The Netherlands in the Champions Trophy Hockey final. (Image credit: FIH)
As well as Rebecchi’s individual awards double, Netherlands’ shot-stopper Joyce Sombroek was named as best goalkeeper while Rebecchi’s 21-year-old team-mate Maria Granatto was named as the best junior player.
In the bronze medal game, USA battled to a shootout victory over Australia, giving the team a first Champions Trophy medal since wining bronze at the 1995 event in Mar del Plata, Argentina.
The Americans, ranked world number seven, bounced back from 2-0 down to level at 2-2, thanks to a double from Katie Bam before their keeper Jackie Briggs kept a clean sheet against third-ranked Australia.
Final standings: 1: Argentina, 2: The Netherlands, 3: USA, 4: Australia, 5: Great Britain, 6: New Zealand
Individual Awards – Best player: Carla Rebecchi (ARG); Best junior player: Maria Granatto (ARG); Best goalkeeper: Joyce Sombroek (NED); Top-scorer: Carla Rebecchi (ARG).
