Latest news with #AmyCostello
The National
2 days ago
- Sport
- The National
Amy Costello: Scotland are underdogs at Eurohockey, but we can do well
Scotland has been grouped with England, Spain and Belgium in the tournament, all of whom are ranked inside the world's top eight. With Scotland down at 15th in the world they are, on paper at least, in for a tough week. But while Costello is under no illusions about the size of the task ahead of her and her compatriots, she's also quietly optimistic that Scotland can potentially spring an upset or two. 'Of course, these will all be tough matches, but we're not shying away from the fact that we want to get results,' the defender says. 'We'll be set up by the coaches in a way that will give us the best chance to do well so it's just a question of can whether us, the players, can put in a good performance on the day, which is what we'll need to do if we want to get results against teams of this quality. 'On paper, we're clearly the underdogs, but we've beaten England before, we've beaten Spain before and although we've not played Belgium for quite a few years, we want to do well against them. So we know we're capable of beating these teams, and we're not going to shy away from the fact that we want to win.' Costello will, as she has for some time, play a vital role in the Scotland team over the coming week. As joint-captain and one of the most experienced players in the squad, the 27-year-old from Edinburgh has a significant degree of responsibility not only in terms of performing well over the coming days, but also in helping her younger teammates rise to the occasion when they face some of the best teams in the world. It's a challenge, however, that Costello relishes. "I really enjoyed having a leadership role and I don't feel it as a pressure. Instead, I feel like I'm trying to pull the girls along, especially the younger girls, and share my experience,' says the Scot, who won her 150th combined cap earlier this year. 'I've been in their shoes before, going to an A Division Euros, which is one of the toughest tests in the hockey calendar. I know how they feel and the nerves they'll be experiencing but actually, we're going in with really no pressure, because ranking-wise, we shouldn't be winning these games. So it's just about sharing that insight to the younger girls in the squad, because they will probably be going in thinking 'oh my goodness, what is this going to be like?' And if you feel like that, you're not going to play at your best. 'I just want to help them realise that they need to just play like it's another hockey game, and that's how everyone plays their best hockey.' Amy Costello is hopeful Scotland can spring some surprises at Eurohockey (Image: Getty Images) The past year of Costello's life has been particularly memorable. Last summer, she made her Olympic debut having been included in GB's squad for Paris 2024 and then almost immediately on her return from Olympic duty, she relocated to the Netherlands to play for Dutch side, HGC. Given the Dutch women's national side is the best in the world, it's little surprise that Costello feels she gained a massive amount by playing in the Dutch league both as a person and as a hockey player. 'I absolutely loved my season in Holland. From the people to the lifestyle to, obviously, the hockey, it was great and is one of the best things I've ever done,' she says. 'The intensity in the Dutch league and the all-out attacking style they play is quite different from what I'd been used to and it's given me another dimension to my game. 'Going to Holland and playing against the Dutch players was about me challenging myself in match-play in a different setting to what I'd been used to and it really worked in terms of improving as a player.' Scotland begin their Eurohockey Championship tomorrow, against England. With Costello having been teammates with the majority of the English squad during her time in the GB set-up, she's very familiar with many of the players, and their style of play. And while facing some of her closest friends is, she admits, a somewhat unusual prospect, she's confident she'll be able to separate the two and help the Scots make what would be a perfect start to their Eurohockey campaign if they can grab a positive result against the Auld Enemy. 'I'm looking forward to playing England and typically, when we play them, it's tighter than on paper it should be,' the Scot says. 'Having been so involved in the GB set-up alongside basically the whole England team that will be playing this week does make it tricky but we just need to separate on the pitch and off the pitch because, at the end of the day, we all want to win the game.'
The Herald Scotland
2 days ago
- Sport
- The Herald Scotland
Amy Costello: Scotland are underdogs at Eurohockey, but we can do well
With Scotland down at 15th in the world they are, on paper at least, in for a tough week. But while Costello is under no illusions about the size of the task ahead of her and her compatriots, she's also quietly optimistic that Scotland can potentially spring an upset or two. 'Of course, these will all be tough matches, but we're not shying away from the fact that we want to get results,' the defender says. 'We'll be set up by the coaches in a way that will give us the best chance to do well so it's just a question of can whether us, the players, can put in a good performance on the day, which is what we'll need to do if we want to get results against teams of this quality. 'On paper, we're clearly the underdogs, but we've beaten England before, we've beaten Spain before and although we've not played Belgium for quite a few years, we want to do well against them. So we know we're capable of beating these teams, and we're not going to shy away from the fact that we want to win.' Costello will, as she has for some time, play a vital role in the Scotland team over the coming week. As joint-captain and one of the most experienced players in the squad, the 27-year-old from Edinburgh has a significant degree of responsibility not only in terms of performing well over the coming days, but also in helping her younger teammates rise to the occasion when they face some of the best teams in the world. It's a challenge, however, that Costello relishes. "I really enjoyed having a leadership role and I don't feel it as a pressure. Instead, I feel like I'm trying to pull the girls along, especially the younger girls, and share my experience,' says the Scot, who won her 150th combined cap earlier this year. 'I've been in their shoes before, going to an A Division Euros, which is one of the toughest tests in the hockey calendar. I know how they feel and the nerves they'll be experiencing but actually, we're going in with really no pressure, because ranking-wise, we shouldn't be winning these games. So it's just about sharing that insight to the younger girls in the squad, because they will probably be going in thinking 'oh my goodness, what is this going to be like?' And if you feel like that, you're not going to play at your best. 'I just want to help them realise that they need to just play like it's another hockey game, and that's how everyone plays their best hockey.' Amy Costello is hopeful Scotland can spring some surprises at Eurohockey (Image: Getty Images) The past year of Costello's life has been particularly memorable. Last summer, she made her Olympic debut having been included in GB's squad for Paris 2024 and then almost immediately on her return from Olympic duty, she relocated to the Netherlands to play for Dutch side, HGC. Given the Dutch women's national side is the best in the world, it's little surprise that Costello feels she gained a massive amount by playing in the Dutch league both as a person and as a hockey player. 'I absolutely loved my season in Holland. From the people to the lifestyle to, obviously, the hockey, it was great and is one of the best things I've ever done,' she says. 'The intensity in the Dutch league and the all-out attacking style they play is quite different from what I'd been used to and it's given me another dimension to my game. 'Going to Holland and playing against the Dutch players was about me challenging myself in match-play in a different setting to what I'd been used to and it really worked in terms of improving as a player.' Scotland begin their Eurohockey Championship tomorrow, against England. With Costello having been teammates with the majority of the English squad during her time in the GB set-up, she's very familiar with many of the players, and their style of play. And while facing some of her closest friends is, she admits, a somewhat unusual prospect, she's confident she'll be able to separate the two and help the Scots make what would be a perfect start to their Eurohockey campaign if they can grab a positive result against the Auld Enemy. 'I'm looking forward to playing England and typically, when we play them, it's tighter than on paper it should be,' the Scot says. 'Having been so involved in the GB set-up alongside basically the whole England team that will be playing this week does make it tricky but we just need to separate on the pitch and off the pitch because, at the end of the day, we all want to win the game.'
Edinburgh Reporter
27-07-2025
- Sport
- Edinburgh Reporter
Verzura penalty denies Scots
Scotland's women's hockey team looked set for a narrow win over France in the first of two Test matches at Peffermill Playing Fields in Edinburgh, but they were denied by a late penalty stroke. Olympian Amy Costello fired the host ahead but Eve Verzura replied and the second match is at Peffermill on Sunday (push off 11.15am). Ava Wadsworth and Cat Nelli earned their first caps for Scotland in the contest watched by an encouraging crowd and Scotland began on the front foot, exerting real pressure on the French defence. Heather McEwan was first to threaten for the Scots but her shot was saved by the French goalkeeper and captain Sarah Robertson then fired a shot on the turn only to see it blocked by the goalkeeper's leg guards. It was not one-way traffic and, early in the second quarter, Scotland goalkeeper, Jess Buchanan, produced a quality save as France tried to open up Scots defence. Debutant Wadsworth then denied the French with a goal-line clearance and seconds later Scotland broke the deadlock when Olympian Amy Costello converted from a penalty corner. Then Katie Birch was denied by a superb save as Scotland's pressure continued. Costello came close as Scotland looked to double their advantage and, in the final quarter, striker Sarah Jamieson saw her shot hit the goalkeepers pad. The clock continued to tick and France hit back with an equaliser when a penalty stroke was awarded and ice cool Verzura fired the ball high into the net to level. FAN SUPPORT: Part of the crowd at Peffermill to watch the action. Picture Nigel Duncan Like this: Like Related
Scotsman
22-07-2025
- Sport
- Scotsman
French test for Scotland's women hockey squad
Scotland women continue their build-up for the EuroHockey Championships with a double-header against France in Edinburgh this weekend. Sign up to our daily newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... The matches at Peffermill Playing Fields on Saturday, July 26 (11.30am) and Sunday, July 27 (11.15am) see Borders-born Olympian, Sarah Robertson, return as captain with fellow Olympians, Amy Costello and Charlotte Watson, plus Jessica Buchanan, who was travelling reserve for the Paris Games, also in the 18-strong squad. There is also a training game on Thursday 7.45pm and tickets are available on the day. Chris Duncan, Scotland's head coach, admitted it has been a long year for the group, following the robust preparation period over winter for the Nations Cup in Chile in which Scotland finished fifth overall with victories over Japan, Canada and Korea. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Flashback to Scotland at the previous EuroHockey Championships in Germany He added: 'The bounce and enthusiasm which came as a result of our performances in Chile has carried through over the last few months, and I believe we have had great preparation for this competition (the European Championship).' Edinburgh-based Duncan added: 'The team has continued to develop, and showed great hunger to continually develop our own style. 'There is no doubt that the EuroHockey Championships are a tough tournament, with opposition ranked three, seven, and eight in the world in our qualification pool, but we are excited to test our ability against these teams. 'We look forward to the test and the opportunity to show the hockey world what we are capable of.' Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Chris Duncan (left), head coach, discusses tactics with assistant coach Jimmy Culnane Scotland open their campaign in Monchengladbach against arch rivals England on August 10 (10:15), followed by Spain on 11 August (13:30) and their final pool game sees the Tartan Hearts in against Belgium on 13 August (12:15) before the crossover matches which determine the final placings. SCOTLAND: Amber Murray (Sutton Coldfield), Amy Costello (vice-captain, HGC, The Netherlands), Ava Findlay, Caterina Nelli, Ruth Blaikie (The University of Edinburgh), Bronwyn Shields, Jessica Buchanan, Katie Birch (Wimbledon), Charlotte Watson, Beeston), Ellie Mackenzie (Surbiton), Eve Pearson, Rebecca Birch (Bowdon), Fiona Burnet, Sarah Jamieson (vice-captain), (both Watsonians), Heather McEwan (Royal Victory, Belgium), Jennifer Eadie, Millie Steiger (Clydesdale Western), Sarah Robertson (captain, Holcombe).
Edinburgh Reporter
22-07-2025
- Sport
- Edinburgh Reporter
Double test for Scotland women v France
Scotland women's hockey squad face France in a double-header in Edinburgh this weekend as they complete their build-up towards the EuroHockey Championships in Monchengladbach, Germany, from August 9 to 17. The matches at Peffermill Playing Fields on Saturday, July 26 (11.30am) and Sunday, July 27 (11.15am) see Borders-born Olympian, Sarah Robertson, return as captain with fellow Olympians, Amy Costello and Charlotte Watson, plus Jessica Buchanan, who was travelling reserve for the Paris Games, also in the 18-strong squad. There is also a training game on Thursday 7.45pm and tickets are available on the day. Chris Duncan, Scotland's head coach, admitted it has been a long year for the group, following the robust preparation period over winter for the Nations Cup in Chile in which Scotland finished fifth overall with victories over Japan, Canada and Korea. He added: 'The bounce and enthusiasm which came as a result of our performances in Chile has carried through over the last few months, and I believe we have had great preparation for this competition (the European Championship).' Edinburgh-based Duncan added: 'The team has continued to develop, and showed great hunger to continually develop our own style. 'There is no doubt that the EuroHockey Championships are a tough tournament, with opposition ranked three, seven, and eight in the world in our qualification pool, but we are excited to test our ability against these teams. 'We look forward to the test and the opportunity to show the hockey world what we are capable of.' Scotland open their campaign in Monchengladbach against arch rivals England on August 10 (10:15), followed by Spain on 11 August (13:30) and their final pool game sees the Tartan Hearts in against Belgium on 13 August (12:15) before the crossover matches which determine the final placings. SCOTLAND: Amber Murray (Sutton Coldfield), Amy Costello (vice-captain, HGC, The Netherlands), Ava Findlay, Caterina Nelli, Ruth Blaikie (The University of Edinburgh), Bronwyn Shields, Jessica Buchanan, Katie Birch (Wimbledon), Charlotte Watson, Beeston), Ellie Mackenzie (Surbiton), Eve Pearson, Rebecca Birch (Bowdon), Fiona Burnet, Sarah Jamieson (vice-captain), (both Watsonians), Heather McEwan (Royal Victory, Belgium), Jennifer Eadie, Millie Steiger (Clydesdale Western), Sarah Robertson (captain, Holcombe). PICTURE: Heather McEwan Like this: Like Related
