A 3-0 defeat by Germany in a women's hockey practice match in Barcelona yesterday gave Ireland some idea of the task that lies ahead this summer when they meet the 1998 World Cup bronze medallists again in their European Nations Cup Finals' pool in Cologne.
Irish coach Riet Kuper did, however, take a great deal of encouragement from the 90 minute, three-period match against a German squad missing only two of their first choice players.
The match began badly for Ireland as they conceded two early goals as a result of defensive errors. Cornelia Reiter punished mistakes by Sarah Kelleher, who was dispossessed at the edge of the circle, and Arlene Thompson, whose poorly struck hit-out was intercepted by Reiter who then rounded Sharon Hutchinson to double Germany's lead.
Kuper, though, was impressed by how quickly her team recovered from their poor start and upped their game to match their world class opponents. It wasn't until the third period that the Germans scored again, when Denise Klecker's strike from a short corner was deflected by Julie Stewart past Tara Browne.
By then all 20 of the Irish panel had been given a run-out.
"We lost the ball unnecessarily for the first two goals," said Kuper, "but it was a lesson for us - you cannot make mistakes like that against teams of this quality because they will punish you. In the second and third periods we learnt to cope with their skill and their tactics a bit better and our work rate was very good."
"It was a very useful exercise because these are the type of matches we need and we must learn from them. Our players have not encountered this level of opposition for a while and you don't learn these kinds of lessons playing weaker teams. We can improve so much, and we will. I am certain of that."
Ireland now face hosts Spain, who they play today and tomorrow in practice games. Like Germany, Spain have also been drawn in Ireland's European Nations Cup Finals' pool.
International Practice Game: Germany 3 (C Reiter 2, D Klecker), Ireland 0. Today - Ireland v Spain, 3.0 (Irish time).
