09.10.2015, Brussels; Home hosts Harvestehuder THC offered Scottish champions Grange little home hospitality as they ran up a huge 6-1 win to give them the early advantage in Pool B of the Euro Hockey League Round 1 in Hamburg.
Match 1 – Dinamo Elektrostal 6 v SG Amsicora 1
Azarov shoots Elektrostal to victory
Dinamo Elektrostal cruised to a strong opening victory over SG Amsicora with Dmitry Azarov’s hat trick under-pinning a 6-1 success in the first Round 1 game in Hamburg.He fired home three times in the first half to set up the success, scoring two corners along with a delightful baseline shimmy to build a 4-0 lead.Andrey Kuraev got the other one before half-time with an exceptionally brave goal, diving onto the ball to tip in before colliding with the goal-post.
Evgueny Mokrousov extended the lead out to 5-0 with a low rocket through Marcello Manca.Amsicora got one back with their first ever EHL goal when Luca Angius volleyed home a spectacular effort in the 44th minute. But Kuraev closed out the victory with another smart finish to record their 6-1 win. Amsicora will play their second match on Saturday against Royal Leopold while the Russians meet Leo on Sunday in what looks the decisive group game.
Match 2 – Monkstown 1 v East Grinstead 1
Good strike earns Monkstown opening draw
East Grinstead and Monkstown shared a fast-paced draw in what looks an extremely well matched EHL Pool D Round 1, tying 1-1 in the second game of the day. The English side took a first quarter lead when the superb David Condon and Joe Naughalty combined to win a penalty stroke in the 13th minute, Condon receiving a push in the build-up. Simon Faulkner converted from the penalty spot. They clung on to that lead for a long time as Patrick Smith and his corner defence kept out a series of penalty corners – seven in total – while they also defended smartly.
Indeed, from one corner they almost countered to get a second only to see Niall Stott’s bouncing effort scooped off the line by a diving defender. But the equaliser came with 12 minutes to go when Kyle Good drove straight down the middle of the EG defence and pumped through Smith’s defences. It reawoke East Grinstead as an attacking force and they forced two big stop from David Fitzgerald while Condon fired wide. Davy Carson tested Smith’s reflexes once more but no further chances accrued.
Germain opening win
Saint Germain 1 v KS Pomorzanin Torun 0
Jean-Baptiste Pauchet’s single goal proved the sole divider between Saint Germain and Pomorzanin Torun as the French side progressed their chances of advancing to the KO16. It was tight throughout. The first half ended scoreless with Saint Germain making most of the running but were unable to unlock a tightly guarded Pomorzanin Torun circle. Their best chances came from corners but they found Michal Sliwinski in top form. His diving save to deny Gregoire Samson was the highlight of the first action but Torun were stung for a 10-minute yellow card for Michal Kunklewski close to the big break.
It cost them dear as Saint Germain took the lead soon after the game’s return with Jean-Baptiste showing excellent reactions to pick up a crash ball that ricocheted off the post. He controlled and slotted home from close range. Torun replied in kind and came within a whisker of equalising when Michal Makowski’s drag-flicks smacked the frame of the goal. The rebound flashed across the face of goal, denying them from their best chance of the game with seven minutes to go. Saint Germain held on to their narrow win and now meet Amsterdam with a win giving them a place in the KO16.
Hamburg hosts HTHC sweep past Grange
Harvestehuder THC 6 v Grange HC 1
Home hosts Harvestehuder THC offered Scottish champions Grange little home hospitality as they ran up a huge 6-1 win to give them the early advantage in Pool B of the Euro Hockey League Round 1 in Hamburg. They were dominant from the moment Michael Körper opened the deadlock in the third minute with a rocket of a penalty corner goal. The Austrian forward then volleyed home a bouncing ball for a 2-0 lea. Brendan Creed fired home a corner rebound after Tobias Hauke had seen his shot saved by Sean Hadfield. Nick Spooner completed the first half scoring with a simple finish into an open goal.
Spooner got an awesome touch to Creed’s brilliant cross from the right wing. Leon Willemsen added the sixth from close range for 6-0 before Todd Harmsworth got one back for the Scottish side with a delightul deflection to Andrew Campbell’s pass.
Grange will meet debutants HC Wien on Saturday before Harvestehuder play Wien on Sunday.
Image Credit: Main photograph Monkstown’s Kyle Good flys! – Euro Hockey League/Frank Uijlenbroek. These images may not be reproduced without the explicit permission of the EHL or the photographer.