MATCHES between England and Scotland are always extremely competitive no matter what sport.

But the one taking place at Lee Valley Hockey Centre in east London this Saturday has an extra bite to it.

For both countries will be opening their campaign against each other in the Unibet European Championships.

England’s Helen Richardson-Walsh admits: “This match is going to be a bit special.”

To add spice, three of the Great Britain squad will be in the opposing camp, including Helen’s Reading HC colleague Emily Maguire.

“We all train together but now three have left to be with Scotland,” said Helen. “They will want to win the game as much us, and I am sure it is going to be a great game.”

England and Scotland are in Pool B, along with Italy and Germany,

“Being at home makes it really special,” said Helen.

“We had the Europeans in Manchester in 2007 and then the London Olympics, so to have another of playing at home is absolutely brilliant. Hopefully the crowd will get behind us and help the team to produce that bit extra."

Her Reading and England team-mate Alex Danson added: “I think the championships are going to be fantastic.

"What makes it special is that we are playing at home. We have prepared exceptionally hard.”
Helen added: “England will be hoping to go one better than the last European Championships when England lost to Germany in a penalty shoot-out.

Helen’s recent career has been hampered by injury but she says her back is now strong although admits: “Fitness wise, I am probably 70 to 80 per cent to where I want to be when it comes to running up and down a hockey pitch.”

Reading’s Susie Gilbert is fully fit, having received a black eye when hit by the ball in her face during a practice match against an England Boys team last week.

“I had a massive egg around my eye and had to miss a day’s training while the swelling went down,” she said.

The England squad visited Lee Valley last week and Gilbert said: “It looks amazing, and will be even more incredible when it is full of spectators.”

Fit-again Reading midfielder Dan Shingles has recovered from a knee injury and is in the England men’s squad that takes on Russia tomorrow (Friday) evening, the Netherlands on Sunday and Spain next Tuesday.

Another Reading player, John Jackson is the skipper of the Ireland team, who are facing Germany, Belgium and France in their group games.