Austria v Switzerland
The opening game of the EuroHockey Junior Championships was between the current Champions Austria and Switzerland. Austria had all the possession and chances in the first half and went ahead in the 16th minute via Lenz. Switzerland equalised in the 28th minute and Austria went ahead again a field goal from Thornblom. The Swiss boys were delighted to get the equaliser against the better team in the 37th minute.
Final Score AUT v SUI 2-2
AUT ’16 28 LENZ FG 1 – 0
SUI ’28 10 MORARD PC 1 – 1
AUT ’32 22 THÖRNBLOM FG 2 – 1
SUI ’37 15 WYSS-CHODAT B FG 2 – 2
INDENGRUN Franz scored first goal, FFU PRESS AGENCY COPYRIGHT Sander UIJLENBROEK
Belarus v Ukraine
In the second game and it was the more assured performance from Belarus that ensured the win. They opened their scoring in the 10th, 15th and 20th minute, so it was 3-0 at half time and Stsepanets put the game beyond doubt with a 4th goal. Ukraine scored in the 37th minute but it was little more than a consolation goal as Belarus slotted home their 5th and final goal in the last minute.
Final Score BLR v UKR 5-1
BLR ’10 13 KAROL FG 1 – 0
BLR ’15 17 KOCHKIN FG 2 – 0
BLR ’20 7 YAHOSHCHANKAU PC 3 – 0
BLR ’33 10 STSEPANETS FG 4 – 0
UKR ’36 7 DMYTRUK FG 4 – 1
BLR ’40 13 KAROL PC 5 – 1
AHOSHCHANKAU Ihar (C) from Belarus, FFU PRESS AGENCY COPYRIGHT Sander UIJLENBROEK
Poland v Portugal
The third game was between the hosts Poland and recently promoted Portugal. A tough first half for the hosts as they looked perhaps nervous against an unknown side to them. Portugal played well and were organised in their play but it was Poland who went ahead via a field goal from JANICKI in the 16th minute. Portugal equalised from a quality player SANTOS in the final minute but a quick response from JARZEMBOWSKI put Poland . A fairly even start to the second half with both teams exchanging goals but in the 27th – 30th minute Portugal seemed to lose their focus and they conceded 3 goals, 6-2 to Poland. In the final 10 minutes Poland were well in charge and a fantastic assist from MAZANY to GRUSZCZYNSK finished the game 7-2 in favour of the hosts.
Final Score POL v POR 7-2
POL ’16 20 LIBERKOWSKI FG 1- 0
POR ’20 8 SANTOS FG 1 – 1
POL ’20 21 JARZEMBOWSKI FG 2 – 1
POL ’24 10 MAZANY FG 3 – 1
POR ’26 8 SANTOS FG 3 – 2
POL ’27 15 RUTKOWSKI FG 4 – 2
POL ’29 15 RUTKOWSKI FG 5 – 2
POL ’30 9 ULATOWSK FG 6 – 2
POL ’40 5 GRUSZCZYNSK FG 7 – 2
RUTKOWSKI Arkadiusz (C) Poland, FFU PRESS AGENCY COPYRIGHT Sander UIJLENBROEK
Russia v Turkey
The final game of the opening session was between Russia and Turkey. Turkey, like Portugal were promoted to this Division and certainly never looked out of their depth. They conceded 2 early goals making gaining ground in the first half a difficult job. As they relaxed and played to their own system, it was the best and most even game of the morning with the final scoreline of 5-3 an overall fair one, but no doubt the Turks will have learned a lot from this opening game.
Final Score RUS v TUR 5-3
RUS ‘4 11 FG 1 – 0
RUS ’10 11 KURAEV PC 2 – 0
TUR ’13 5 ACIKGOZ PC 2 – 1
RUS ’14 4 ARTEMOV FG 3 – 1
TUR ’22 7 CAKMAK FG 3 – 2
RUS ’36 2 PROSKURYAKOV PS 4 – 2
TUR ’37 9 ERMAN FG 4 – 3
RUS ’38 8 LEPESHKIN FG 5 – 3
POYRAZ Numan from Turkey, FFU PRESS AGENCY COPYRIGHT Sander UIJLENBROEK
Switzerland v Ukraine
In the second session of the day Switzerland produced a good solid performance against Ukraine, with six field goals and one PC without reply. GASSNER opened the scoring in the 8th minutes with MORARD and LÜSCHER adding to the tally before half time. BRÖNNIMANN, LÜSCHER, WYSS-CHODAT GAEL (Captain) all scored from open play with HUBER scoring the only converted corner of the game.
Final Score SUI v UKR 7-0
SUI ‘8 4 GASSNER FG 1 – 0
SUI ’11 10 MORARD FG 2 – 0
SUI ’29 11 LÜSCHER FG 3 – 0
SUI ’31 31 BRÖNNIMANN FG 4 – 0
SUI ’32 11 LÜSCHER FG 5 – 0
SUI ’33 13 WYSS-CHODAT G FG 6 – 0
SUI ’37 7 HUBER PC 7 – 0
KAUFMANN Lukas (SUI), FFU PRESS AGENCY COPYRIGHT Sander UIJLENBROEK
Switzerland take 4 points into Day 2 and a top placed ranking based on goal difference and are looking forward to their game v Belarus tomorrow and a possible semi-final slot if they can continue their good performances. However a win for Belarus would put them into the Semi-final!
Austria v Belarus
Austria finish Day 1 in the second slot behind Switzerland following a tough game v Belarus. THÖRNBLOM once again found the back of the net after only 3 minutes. RUDOFSKY got two in this game and SZMIDT converted a stroke. But the Austrains were overall disappointed with the scoreline as it leaves a lot of work to do tomorrow. They will have the luxury of knowing what they need to do as SUI v BLR is before their critical game v Ukraine.
Final Score BLR v AUT 0-4
AUT ‘3 22 THÖRNBLOM FG 0 – 1
AUT ’12 26 RUDOFSKY FG 0 – 2
AUT ’28 12 SZMIDT PS 0 – 3
AUT ’40 26 RUDOFSKY FG 0 – 4
Constantin LENZ watching his own goal, FFU PRESS AGENCY COPYRIGHT Sander UIJLENBROEK
Portugal v Turkey
It was a very even game to begin with, both teams playing some nice indoor hockey and were very tactically aware. Turkey opened the scoring via OZKILIC and ACIKGOZ converted a beautiful corner with a drag flick into the right corner. Portugal then really found their form and equalised just after half time. The second half, whilst it only had 2 goals was an excellent game and full of chances for both sides, but Portugal just had the better quality and with goals from TEIXEIRA and RODRIGUES sealed the victory and Portugal finish the day with 3 points behind Poland and Russia.
Final Score PORvTUR 4-2
TUR ‘6 9 OZKILIC FG 0 – 1
TUR ’16 5 ACIKGOZ PC 0 – 2
POR ’19 10 TEIXEIRA FG 1 – 2
POR ’22 14 VENTOSA FG 2 – 2
POR ’30 10 TEIXEIRA FG 3 – 2
POR ’36 7 RODRIGUES FG 4 – 2
TAVARES Luis stopped by goalkeeper BOZKURT Alpaslan, FFU PRESS AGENCY COPYRIGHT Sander UIJLENBROEK
Russia v Poland
A fairly lively home crowd would not be happy with anything but a win from the home side here in Torun. Russia opened the scoring via LEPESHKIN in the 2nd minute – a classy strike which caught the Polish defense unawares. This certainly forced the home team to tighten up the defense and KUROWSKI scored to level the sides in the 10th minute. From then on it really was a very even game and quite feisty at times, a lot at stake for the players! Much to the delight of the crowd JARZEMBOWSKI scored in the 37th minute and that was the winner!
The win puts Poland top of Pool B and pretty assured of a semi-final slot, unless Portugal can beat Russia by several goals.
Final Score RUS v POL 1-2
RUS 2 8 FG 1 – 0
POL 10 21 FG 1 – 1
POL 37 20 FG 1 – 2
Poland won the game against Russia, FFU PRESS AGENCY COPYRIGHT Sander UIJLENBROEK
Main photograph: JARZEMBOWSKI Damian Scored first goal Poland, FFU PRESS AGENCY COPYRIGHT Sander UIJLENBROEK