Germany topped women’s Pool B with a third strong win in Mönchengladbach as they pulled away from an ambitious Ireland who are left to play in Pool C.

Die Danas hit the front in the seventh minute from their first penalty corner, a delightful switch move to the left where Sonja Zimmerman had extra time to pick a low shot into the backboard.

Ireland hit the post a minute later from a Hannah McLoughlin corner hit but the Germans moved further clear in the second quarter in outstanding fashion. Selen Oruz’s ball into the circle was bouncing but Pauline Heinz controlled it beautifully and then applied all the power to make it 2-0.

The Green Army went all out to try and get the win they needed to have a chance at reaching the final four, taking out their goalkeeper with 20 minutes to go.

The plan backfired, though, with Valentin Altenburg’s side scoring three times in Liz Murphy’s absence. Nike Lorenz scored two penalty corners and Jette Fleschutz added another into the empty goal for the keeper returned to the pitch. 

Player of the match Anne Schröder said of the game: “It is so special for us to play in front of this home crowd. It is not known for us to play in Germany; it’s usually the Netherlands or London and it is an absolute pleasure.

“Ireland came up with 20 minutes or so with 11 outfielders and we came up with three goals so we are confident with our press and that gives us confidence for the semis!

“Belgium will be a different prospect. They go more on individual skills rather than collective strength and they have developed so well and it will be a really tough game on Thursday night.”