At the end of the C Pool Relegation games, it is Portugal and Switzerland who will stay in this division in 2017 with Ukraine and Turkey being relegated.
Ukraine v Portugal
First up this morning was the critical game Ukraine v Portugal. Portugal started well with a TEIXEIRA goal in the 4th minute from open play. In the 6th minute, captain TAVARES made it 2. Whilst Ukraine’s SHEVCHUK did clawm the one back, overall Portugal played the better hockey from the start of the game and the final score of 5-2 was a fair reflection of the game. Captain TAVARES was happy with his teams performance, and whilst it is his last game at Under 21, he believes that Portugal do have a nice group of players that are very happy to stay in the top flight of EuroHockey Indoor Junior hockey. Finishing on 7 points this assures them of a 6th place final ranking.
Interview with Luis Tavares, POR
Final Score 5-2
POR ‘4 10 TEIXEIRA Ricardo PC 1-0
POR ‘6 2 TAVARES Luis FG 2-0
UKR ’11 6 SHEVCHUK Vitalii FG 2-1
POR ’16 3 ALMEIDA Carlos FG 3-1
POR ’18 10 TEIXEIRA Ricardo FG 4-1
POR ’25 4 WENZEL Nicolas PC 5-1
UKR ’29 10 SLOBODIANYK Vladyslav PC 5-2
Switzerland v Turkey
The Final Pool C game was between Switzerland and Turkey. Both teams had the possibility to stay in the Division, but Turkey needed a win and a draw would be enough ensure they stay in the Divsion. Switzerland were the stronger team in the first half GASSNER once again on target from a PC and MORARD also converting to make it 2-0 after 7 minutes. Turkey continue to play technically good indoor hockey and were rewarded for their patience in the 15th minute when OZKILIC scored his second goal of the Tournament and the score remained 2-1 at halftime. In the second half Switzerland could afford to be patient, Turkey won a PC in the 32nd minute, but it was a little too ambitious and easily defended by the Swiss keeper. Turkey took off their keeper and it paid off as ERMAN scored to make it 2-2 and a busy 2 minutes ensured as Switzerland instatntly responded with a super goal from a PC courtesy of MORARD. Turkey continued to press and OZKILIC almost had the winner at full stretch, but the ball went just wide. As the final whistle went, it was a very happy Swiss team that stay in the Division, finishing 5th and massive lessons learned by Turkey, who improved all Tournament.
Interview with Lorenz Gassner, SUI
Switzerland v Turkey – Final score 3-2
SUI ‘6 4 GASSNER Lorenz PC 1-0
SUI ‘7 10 MORARD Yves PC 2-0
TUR ’15 8 OZKILIC Ali FG 2-1
TUR ’38 9 ERMAN Batuhan FG 2-2
SUI ’38 10 MORARD Yves PC 3-2
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Fantastic set of photographs from all the games are here
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Photograph – Switzerland v Turkey WYSS-CHODAT Gael (C)( FFU PRESS AGENCY COPYRIGHT Sander UIJLENBROEK)