20.07.2015, Brussels: The EuroHockey Championship IV got underway in Vilnius yesterday, with 8 teams vying for 2 promotional slots.
Denmark – Norway 11-0
In the opening match, the two Scandinavian neighbors met in a game that had one team dominating throughout most of the game.
Just after 5 minutes, Casper Dahl opened the score for Denmark and 4 more goals follow in the first half, where Norway where seldom guests in the Danish D.
After halftime, Denmark kept the pressure and added 6 more goals, finalizing the score at 11-0. Tobias netted 4 times putting him in the top of the scoring list for the first day.
Hungary – Slovakia 1-4
Hungary surprised Slovakia after just 4 minutes by taking the lead on a penalty corner by Norbert Kovacs. After the lead Hungary left the initiative to Slovakia, looking for the fast breaks. After half an hour the tactics failed and Slovakia got the equalizer followed by the 2-1 lead when they converted on a penalty corner in overtime.
In the second half Slovakia kept the high pressure, converting another PC to goal and later adding a field goal to final score 4-1.
Cyprus – Finland 3-1
The game starter with Cyprus in the leading role. At the 17th minute James Weare grabbed the first of what should be three historical goals, bringing the score 1-0 for the island. Finland kept fighting but could find the way through the Cyprus defend. 10 minutes after the first goal, Cyprus converted a PC to 2-0. Just after half time the third goal followed. Even though Finland got one back 2 minutes later and increased the pressure during the rest of the half, Cyprus held through, to secure their first ever win in EuroHockey Championship history.
Lithuania – Malta 4-2
Last game of the day, the host and a full crowd game Malta a warm welcome, keeping a high pressure from the start of the game. Lithuania had several PC’s in the first half, but it was Malta who took the lead after 26 minutes and kept the lead until half time.
After just 2 minutes of the second half, the pressure paid off and the crowd was cheering when Lithuania converted a PC getting an equalizer. After that, the game became more and more intense, but the hosts kept the cool and extended the lead to 4-1 before Malta got a late consolation goal for the final score, 4-2.
Pictured: Hosts Lithuania line up for a PC v Malta.