Seventh Place Game
England - New Zealand 2-3 (1-1 halftime)

Nicholas Wilson’s goal seven minutes into extra time lifted New Zealand to a seventh place finish at the 2012 Champions Trophy. The Black Sticks topped England in the game, meaning the #4 team in the FIH World Ranking end the annual event in last place and is relegated to the Champions Challenge level.

The game was an entertaining early-morning affair with the teams competing hard to avoid the last-place finish. It was a 1-1 draw at the break with goals from New Zealand’s Stephen Jenness and England’s Darren Cheesman. England took its first lead 21 minutes into the second half only to see it erased five minutes later, setting up the first extra time of this edition of the Champions Trophy.

Despite the victory, New Zealand is also relegated to the Champions Challenge, however, there are two precious wild card spots available, which will be determined by the FIH Executive Board at a later date. With some of the top teams not making the cut here in Melbourne, competition is sure to be fierce for those wild card positions for the next edition of the Champions Trophy in India.