Brits upset bracket to set-up final showdown with Korea

Great Britain’s recurve women’s team upset number six seeds Germany, third-ranked China and second-seeded Chinese Taipei from the 11th spot after qualification to make the gold medal match at the fourth stage of the 2018 Hyundai Archery World Cup in Berlin, Germany.

Two of the three matches – against Germany and Chinese Taipei – went to a shoot-off.

In the first, Britain shot 29 points to the host’s 25. In the second, 27 to Chinese Taipei’s 26.

“I’m elated, overwhelmed. I knew it was going to be a hard match [against Taipei], I knew it was going to be a hard shoot-off,” said Eleanor Piper. “I knew we were going to need a 10 so to put it in and have the highest score over the two targets was just amazing.”

Piper’s two teammates, Sarah Bettles and Bryony Pitman, were in the British team that finished fourth at this tournament in 2017. Coach Richard Priestman has seen growth in the team over the last 12 months.

“The best thing now is they’ve found a way to be competitive and fight and get 10s when they need to. Let’s hope they can grow from here,” he said.

He wasn’t worried when his group went into a second shoot-off in just three matches, against a team ranked number two in the world.

“I thought we could do it. The girls were on a high. They were showing excitement rather than nervousness,” he added.

Great Britain face world number one and Olympic Champion Korea for the recurve women’s team gold medal on Sunday in Berlin.

The fourth stage of the 2018 Hyundai Archery World Cup takes place in Berlin, Germany on 16 to 22 July.