18.07.2015, Brussels: A busy day in Prague as the EuroHockey Championships II got underway, with 6 games and 27 goals, a fantastic start to this important event.
Women Azerbaijan 3 – Austria 1
In the opening match it was feisty Azerbaijan who scored first goal of the tournament against Austria after a short corner which resulted in a penalty stroke. Both teams had even ball possesion and also 4 short corners each but it was again Azerbaijan who scored from a short corner. In the third quarter Austria plunged all forces in the front determined to score but unfortunately for them it was again Azerbaijan who scored their third goal. Austria finally managed to score 3 minutes before the end of the match making it 1:3 as the final score.
Women – Belarus 2 – Wales 2
In the midday heat we could have seen the clash between Belarus and Wales. Wales started off better when scoring in 9th minute. Wales also had slightly more ball possesion but despite that Belarus managed to score at the end of the second quarter. Wales did not give up and had a series of short corners that resulted in penalty stroke being taken by Wales making it 2:1 for them. But it was Belarus who managed to have the last word scoring just few minutes before the end making it 2:2.
Women – Ireland 7 – France 1
Ireland surprised France with fast game, good passing skills and a quick goal in 5th minute. Ireland had instantly more of ball possession with France not being able to pick up the same pace. After a rare mistake at the back French player was given a chance to strike an equilizer and managed to do so. Ireland then picked up the pace even more and scored twice within the first half. Second half belonged to the Irish team as they managed to score 4 goals making the final score 7:1.
Women – Ukraine 2 – Czech Republic 3
In today´s last women´s match Czech team surprised their opponents from Ukraine with an active approach and for the first 15 minutes also more ball possession. However it was the Ukrainian´s who managed to score in the 15th minute of the match. Czech team scored an equalizer from short corner just before half time making it 1:1. In the second half it was the Czech team that pushed forward and was rewarded by another goal after a beautiful reverse stick shot by Haklová. But it was Czech captain Tereza Mejzlíková who made the crowds cheer much more with the 3rd goal on Czech side. Last minutes of the match were in favour of the Ukrainian team who put a great pressure on their opponents. They managed to score from a short corner. Ukrainians also had two chances to equalize after the full time but did not succeed. Final score was in favour of the hosting team 3:2.
Men – Czech Republic 2 – Azerbaijan 0
After the last women´s match of day 1 we saw first men´s game of the day between Czech team and Azerbaijan. Czechs came into the match as more active with many chances in the Azerbaijan´s circle. Having 3 short corners in the first quarter they failed to score their opening goal in the tournament. But it was definitely failing to score after a penalty stroke by Vacek that upset the Czech the most. Second half of the match started off with great chances both ends and Azerbaijan managed to step up in their game to have 3 short corners. However they failed to score. It was the Czechs who finally managed to score 2 consecutive goals both by talented young player Plachý. The final score read 2:0 for the Czech national team.
Men – Austria 4 – Switzerland 0
In the last match on the opening day Austria played against
Switzerland. In the first quarter we saw fast combinations from both teams, Austria was slightly better and Michael Körper, last season the best goal scorer of 1. German league, confirmed the Austrian dominance from a penalty corner. Austria was since then more in ball possession, but until the half-time the score table stayed unchanged. Second half continued in the same manner as the first one. Austrians Thörnblom and Bele changed the score to 3:0 and in the very end, Körper confirmed the Austrian ambitions for playoffs and set the final score to 4:0 for his team.
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