A Top 5 of Champions Trophy Moments

Here is a Top 5 of videos connected with the Champions Trophy. The women's tournament starts in Rosario on 28th January 2012.

1. Although I didn't see it at the time, I duck every time for the drag flick straight on. This probably gives you an idea of what it is like to be Beth Storry in goal...



2. It is always a great honour to speak with the best player in the world: Luciana Aymar was amazing in Nottingham. Here is some great action from Nottingham mixed with a stirring interview...



And here is a link to some of her other goals...



3. A round-up of England's progress to the bronze medal at the Nottingham tournament in 2010. Featuring plenty of the top England players...



4. A royal visit to the Nottingham Champions Trophy tournament on the last day, July 2010, made for a very special close to the competition.



5. This is by my Dutch friend, Eva and it brings back a few memories of the time spent in Nottingham during July 2010.

Hockey's Women's Champions Trophy 2010 in Nottingham

Hockey's Men's Champions Trophy 2010 - England Preview

Great Britain Olympian Remembers the Hockey Tournament at the 1952 Olympics

Hockey's Got Talent - The Winners!

The World Cup in Argentina is coming up at the end of August, and Luciana tells us why we should all go!

Luciana Aymar on the World Cup and the Champions Trophy 2010

Above: 'Roger the dodger', 'dot net', 'Ginger', 'The Rogde' all the nicknames came out! Chloe Rogers with her Champions Trophy bronze medal.

A very special win, and some brilliant attacking hockey from England. Well done to Danny Kerry and the team.



Above: The medals being handed out. There was a very funny bit (IMO) when Luciana Aymar and the Argentina team shook hands with all the other medal winners. It was like Aymar holding court and putting all the other nations in their place!

'Thank you for coming, bad luck' I bet she was saying to the other players.



Above: Something a bit special - the England women's hockey team and coaching staff, following the presentation to HRH The Countess of Wessex. Highfields, Nottingham July 2010.



Above: Former England and GB, and Leicester player, Jennie Bimson, a lovely lady. Bimmo has been commentating on the TV feed, what's that Jenny some people are on the pitch, they think it's all over. Well, it is now!

Now I saw Jane Sixsmith talking to Chris Mayer, Leicester coach in the food cafe area - and I asked Jane this, and she didn't squash the rumour either, but would she be moving to Leicester for the start of the new season?

Jane Sixsmith said: "Yeah, exclusive news!"

Seriously, when Jane's name was read out by Howard on the PA the crowd gave her the biggest clap of the medal presentations - just showing how well loved and respect she is within the hockey family.



Above: Me and Naomi Van As, one of my new favourite players! At the end of the tournament I had to go to the Adidas stand to pick up some pictures of players for a Field Hockey Forum person, and Naomi was there.

Well, she recognised me as the guy who had been hassling her for interviews in English all week, so I took the opportunity to get a catalogue signed by her.

Oli: Would you mind signing this 'to Oliver' please.
Naomi: Sure, no problem
(Writes 'to Oliver' and signs the picture of herself)
Naomi: How do you say 'thanks' in English?
Oli: Er... Like that?
Naomi: No, like in a pub?
Oli: Oh, like 'cheers'?
Naomi: Yes, that's it (Puts on posh English accent) - 'Cheers guv'na'.

Very funny, and very good of her.



Above: Jules and Georgie by the Champions Trophy.



Above: Me and the Champions Trophy, it was very heavy and I struggled to lift it. So quite how the Countess of Wessex and Luciana Aymar managed it, I don't know.

Just a quick word about the China - England press conference yesterday after England's 2-1 victory.

The China coach, Kim Sang Ryul and player, Baorong Fu, were questioned quite hard by myself and Juliette Banks.

Mainly about incidents in the game and then I did ask if the coach would be staying on at the end of the tournament. He made no comment about his future.

I will try and upload some of the press conference, but it is very long due to translation difficulties.

Which was one of problems cited by the China camp with the umpiring of their match.

England 2-1 China, fantastic second half and Charlotte Cradock's goal was such a relief!

Good to get a few words with Lord Moynihan, Chairman of the British Olympic Assoication.

A very funny incident ocurred when we grabbed him in the middle of the pitch, after he had made presentations of 1952 bronze medals to two members of that GB squad.

The interview was supposed to be very quick, however the far water jet came on and myself, Juliette Banks (the reporter), and Lord Moynihan had to run off the pitch.

He wasn't keen on getting wet! The Olympic silver medalist can run, I can confirm.

Fortunatley he said hockey is in exactly the right place at the moment and the BOA have big plans for the sport.

That's very good to hear.

Another day, and this time a 4-0 win and Argentina are looking up, and 'Lucha' was on fine form.

Above: One of the two big screens shows one of my videos, it is the 'Passion. Speed. Respect.' Compilation. Great, never thought seeing your work up on a giant screen could be so exciting!!!!



Above: Kate Walsh tells me it was Helen Richardson, who spotted that foot and wanted the video referral.


Above: In the Media Centre at the Champions Trophy and one of the volunteers is trying to set a new land world record for most plastic cups in a confined space! And he didn't drop them!!!


Above: Finally got to speak to sister, Chloe Rogers for a bit today - it is now day four! And we had our photo snapped.



Above: And me with the folks, Barry and Liz. Hang on, who's that in the background! Hockey events are always times for the family, and the Champions Trophy is no different.

Many people turned up with young children and had fun on the games in the Hockey Village, even though it was raining.

I find it lovely to be walking about the site and end up chatting to so many different people from all walks of life, all part of the hockey family.

Saturday is almost sold out! Now that is interesting... Very interesting, as a wise old BBC commentator used to say.

Netherlands may have won 3-0, but England showed plenty of good play, here's a short clip of Chloe in action on the pitch in Nottingham.

A short clip of the China and New Zeland press conference on day two, the mood lifted a bit by the question.

Some of the filming I've been doing whilst at the Champions Trophy 2010 in Nottingham.