At the final day of the EuroHockey Indoor Championships in Minsk, we started the day with the final games of the Pool C, relegation pool with much at stake for all 4 teams. Ukraine were the only team from the 4 that were already safely into the Championship Division in 2018, the other 3 Austria, Czech Republic and Belgium could all stay or leave depending on the results. Ultimately it was Czech Republic who joined Ukraine safely into the Championships in 2018.
Pool C – Relegation Pool:
Ukraine v Belgium 3-3
Ukraine, knowing that they are safe in this division got off to a better start going ahead via Yuliia SHEVCHENKO in the 9th minute. Their second goal was a well worked move which ended in Nataliia HONCHARENKO tapping in at the back post. Belgium did have a good chance with a good corner routine, but the Ukraine defence held and the score remained 2-0 at the half. In the second half, again Belgium had a chance early on to reduce the scoreline via a PC but again the Ukriane defence held strong. Yana KOROTAIEVA scored a beautiful strike on the run, giving the keeper no chance. Minutes later Belgium did claw back with a good solo effort from a free hit, Tiphaine DUQUESNE dummying the keeper and putting Belgium on the scoreboard. In the 32nd minute Marie RONQUETTI put a PC away, bringing the score line to 3-2. Belgium, now with their tails up pressed hard for the final quarter of the game, creating more chances than Ukraine, opting for a powerplay which delivered a third goal in the 38th minute and brought the game back on even terms. Belgium, now with a chance to perhaps stay in the division if they won this game, pressed hard, but without a keeper and conceding a corner in the last minute which UKR mis-trapped. A huge performance in the second half from Belgium, but in the end the game stayed level 3-3.
| Team | Minute | Shirt # | Player | Action | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ukraine | 9 | 11 | SHEVCHENKO Yuliia | Field Goal | 1 – 0 |
| Ukraine | 14 | 21 | HONCHARENKO Nataliia | Field Goal | 2 – 0 |
| Ukraine | 25 | 18 | KOROTAIEVA Yana | Field Goal | 3 – 0 |
| Belgium | 28 | 19 | DUQUESNE Tiphaine | Field Goal | 3 – 1 |
| Belgium | 32 | 17 | RONQUETTI Marie | Penalty Corner | 3 – 2 |
| Belgium | 37 | 17 | RONQUETTI Marie | Field Goal | 3 – 3 |
Czech Republic v Austria 3-3
In the Final C Pool game of the EuroHockey Indoor Championships, it was still all to play for for both teams. A lively start Czech Republic needed only a draw to stay in the Division, but a win would be required by Austria. AUT won a PC in the first minute and opened the scoring with a direct shot from captain Corinna ZERBS. In the 3rd minute CZE won a PC which was upgraded to a stroke and scored by Adela BIZOVA. In the 7th minute Julia BUSCH put Austria ahead via a fantastic reverse strike from the end line. Another great strike from Corinna ZERBS in the 29th minute brought the score to 3-1 to Austria. An incredible second half as Czech clawed their way back to draw level at 3-3 and this was enough to finish second in Pool C and stay in the Championship Division and qualify for the World Cup!
| Team | Minute | Shirt # | Player | Action | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Austria | 2 | 10 | ZERBS Corinna | Penalty Corner | 0 – 1 |
| Czech Republic | 3 | 13 | BIZOVA Adela | Penalty Stroke | 1 – 1 |
| Austria | 7 | 11 | BUSCH Julia | Field Goal | 1 – 2 |
| Austria | 29 | 10 | ZERBS Corinna | Field Goal | 1 – 3 |
| Czech Republic | 38 | 13 | BIZOVA Adela | Penalty Corner | 2 – 3 |
| Czech Republic | 40 | 13 | BIZOVA Adela | Penalty Corner | 3 – 3 |
Final Ranking in Pool C:
| R | Team | GP | W | D | L | GD | P |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ukraine | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 6 | 7 |
| 2 | Czech Republic | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 4 |
| 3 | Austria | 3 | 0 | 2 | 1 | -5 | 2 |
| 4 | Belgium | 3 | 0 | 2 | 1 | -5 | 2 |
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Main photograph: Czech Republic celebrates (FFU PRESS AGENCY COPYRIGHT FRANK UIJLENBROEK and All Galleries)