Townsend can feel the buzz
SUSANNAH Townsend believes the World Cup has bettered London 2012 for intensity and atmosphere.
The midfielder missed out on Olympic selection six years ago and watched on as Great Britain’s women won bronze.
For hockey’s quadrennial showpiece at the Olympic Park, Townsend’s girlfriend has been in the stands for England’s two sell-out crowds.
“She said that people stand up when we’re moving forwards as they feel the excitement. That’s unheard of,” said Townsend, 30. “I went to London 2012 and I didn’t feel that when I was there. Hearing the crowd get behind you here, it gets you going.”
England tomorrow face a must-win final game against pool winners Ireland. “We’d like to be where Ireland are but we have got better with every game,” Townsend said. “Pressure isn’t a bad thing.”
England will close in on a first win if they can continue making hay with their forward running and circle penetrations. She added: “If we do that, the goals will come and we’ll get our penalty corners in. We haven’t scored from corners and aren’t going to pretend it’s something we’re not focusing on.” GEORGE GROVES and Callum Smith will meet in the World Boxing Super Series super-middleweight final in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia on September 28.
The fight will also mark Groves’ third WBA title defence and Smith’s first world title fight.
Groves said: “I’m incredibly excited that the fight has been formally confirmed to take place in Jeddah. I’m sure this final will eclipse every WBSS fight to date for excitement and drama.”