KARACHI, July 6: Pakistan hockey team returned home empty-handed on Tuesday after their month-long European tour without winning a tournament. Pakistan finished runner-up in Tri-Nation event in England also involving Australia and hosts.
The green shirts finished second behind host Germany in the Hamburg Masters and on the final phase of their trip, the former World and Olympic champions ended up in third place in four-nation Trophy in Holland. Germany won the title beating the Netherlands in the final.
The only saving grace for Pakistan team, managed by three foreign specialist coaches, were the victories over arch rivals India in four-nation tournament including the 6-1 demolition in the first match.
But the lowest point for the green shirts was the 6-0 defeat suffered at the hands of the Netherlands. After a week's rest the Pakistan team's short training camp commences at Hockey Club of Pakistan from July 15 before flying to Spain to play a series of match against host Spain and Argentina before flying to Greece to compete in the Olympic Games which open on Aug 13. The final Olympic squad will be announced during the training camp.
