With a two week break until their next game, GB women´s hockey team will be resting and recovering after suffering a 2-1 defeat to China in the latest match in the FIH pro league series.

This result against China would have come as a disappointment to the players, who had fought hard for a draw against the USA just days before and would have known they had the ability to come away victorious.

But the busy and compact fixture schedule of the FIH pro league series leaves little time to dwell, and the players will be busy preparing for their two upcoming home fixture against Argentina and Belgium on Saturday the 18th May and Sunday 19th May.

One player who will be hoping to get back on to the pitch this weekend is University of Birmingham student, Amy Costello. The Scottish 21-year-old is one the most highly rated defenders in the country and she made her FIH Pro league debut in the series in Great Britain´s matches against USA and Argentina. She described the experience as ´´great´ explaining how she had been watching all of the other games on TV and so she was very excited to get on the pitch.´

"Each of the pro league games is all so competitive, as each team is fresh so it is a real test of hockey in comparison to a tournament where fatigue can contribute to results", she told me when we spoke after the China game.

Another University of Birmingham student, Lily Owlsey will also be hoping to be named in the squad in the next Pro league fixtures. Rio Olympian Owsley, who is on her way to becoming one of the best in the world according to head coach, Mark Hager has been a key forward for Great Britain in the series. Having been named in the squad for all of the pro league games so far, Lily will be a key player in this weekend's upcoming matches.

Great Britain will be hoping to secure two victories in this weekend´s home fixtures at Lee Valley Hockey and Tennis Centre. GB have won three out of the thirteen matches they have played against Argentina since 2013 so will be expecting tough opponents and a challenging game. 

They have never played against the Belgium team before, so there is no doubt it will be an interesting game for spectators, as two competitive sides with no international history between them, play 70 minutes of hockey in front of what will be an excited and enthusiastic home crowd.

You can still buy tickets to support the players this weekend at Lee Valley Hockey and Tennis Centre from the official FIH Pro League Website.