England got off to a strong start as they defeated Ireland 3-0 in the opening game of the women’s EuroHockey Championship in Mönchengladbach.

After a few lively Irish chances in the first few minutes, England won a stroke in the eighth minute when Alex Malzer’s progress was impeded close in. Grace Balsdon scored the resulting penalty stroke.

Tessa Howard doubled up when she got a lovely redirection to a fast shot from Holly Hunt for 2-0 at half-time.

Hannah Martin cleaned up the pieces in the 48th minute after another Hunt shot at goal to complete a handsome win.

“Honestly, we are so happy,” Malzer, the player of the match, said afterwards. “We didn’t start the way we wanted but then we got momentum and 3-0 in our first game is so good.

“[After the slow start] Our mindset didn’t change, we stuck to our processes, didn’t change anything and I knew we could win. For me, I thought, let’s just get forward, bringing the energy, bring the momentum and get a goal!”

Women’s Pool B: England 3 (Balsdon, Howard, Martin) Ireland 0