Ipswich's Hannah Martin to battle for bronze in Olympic hockey
Great Britain's Hannah Martin (left) and Netherland's Maria Verschoor battle for the ball - Credit: PA
Ipswich hockey star Hannah Martin is to battle it out for bronze after her Team GB side lost to the Netherlands in the Olympic semi finals.
Ms Martin, 26, was part of the squad that fell to the Dutch 5-1 in the semi final on Wednesday morning.
Team GB had been hoping to become back to back Olympic champions after the squad took gold in Rio in 2016.
However, the Dutch side proved too strong for the Brits netting two goals before half time and adding three in the second half.
A consolation goal did come for the side through Giselle Ainsley.
The Brits will now take on India in the Bronze Medal Match on Friday while the Dutch face Argentina.
It will be Ms Martin's first opportunity for a medal after joining the Team GB squad back in 2017.
GB's Hannah Martin will go for bronze on Friday - Credit: PA
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Hannah Martin told the Great Britain Hockey website: “We’re disappointed. We wanted to keep it tight for as long as we could but unfortunately those two goals came in quick succession. We knew we could bring it back, but it wasn’t to be today.
“I think there wasn’t enough sustained pressure, we knew if we could keep getting at them then they would go in, but we just didn’t quite do that today. I’m bitterly disappointed but we’ll come out fighting for that bronze medal.
“I think we always believe we can get back into a game. We said to take it one goal at a time, we were really pleased with Giselle’s brilliant flick and thought we could get a couple more. But as I said, it was disappointing and it’s gutting to be in this position, but we’ve got to pick ourselves up and fight for that bronze.
“No excuses today. They’re a very strong team, we know that, but we’re disappointed to not get a result.”
Ms Martin remains the only member of her family to still be battling amongst the medals after her brother Harry's men's hockey squad were knocked out in the quarter finals following a loss to India.
There will, however, still be a strong Suffolk presence out with Ms Martin in Tokyo through Ipswich and Team GB coach Sam Beveridge who is part of the team supporting the women.
Team GB's bronze medal match will take place on Friday morning at 2.30am.
