A super start to the EuroHockey Indoor Club Trophy, Dundee, with 8 games and all still to play for tomorrow.
Game 1 – Iris Hockey Lambersart v HAHK Mladost HC
A fast paced first half began with an early goal from Iris Lambersart’s Femke Bijen which was quickly equalised by HAHK Mladost’s Maijana Franic. A penalty corner from Marina Abramovic gave Mladost a 1-2 lead but Iris fought back with three goals in succession from Salome Dain, Athena Richard and Justine Duby bringing the half time score to 5-2 Iris Hockey Lambersart.
HAHK Mladost tightened their defence in the second half but only managed to gain one more goal from Abramovic in the 30th minute bring the final score to 5-3 Iris Hockey Lambersart.
Game 2 – HC Rotweiss Wettingen v Highway HC
An evenly contested half with Highway HC dominating possession but had little to show for it. Just before half time the Rotweiss keeper made a great save to deny Highway the opening goal. Rotweiss then countered and took the lead with a penalty corner by Stephanie Walti to go in ahead at the break.
In the second half Rotweiss began to take the game by the scruff of the neck until Highway were awarded a penalty stroke which was converted to make the score 1-1. However, Rotweiss got themselves back on top in the 25th minute with a goal from Elena Trosch to make it 2-1 before grabbing a late double courtesy of Karin Bugmann and another from Stephanie Walti leaving the final score to be 4-1. An evenly contested game but Rotweiss ran out deserved winners.
Game 3 – Bowdon Hightown v Royal Pingouin HC
The game started at a very fast pace with the scores being level at 1-1 thanks to goals from Kayleigh Humphries of Bowdon and Linda Haussener for Pingouin. Pingouin then seemed to take control of the match with two quick-fire goals from Haussner again and Anouk Raes to take them 3-1 up. However, that was not the end of the first half action and three goals before half time from Bowden’s Sally Walton took them into a 4-3 lead at the break.
The second half was very tight with Pingouin grabbing an early goal to bring the scores level. The game seemed to be heading for a draw until Pingouin number 15, Marie Vassart, scored her 3rd goal of the match with a minute remaining to clinch the tie.
Game 4 – Dundee Wanderers v Ards Ladies HC
Wanderers were on the front foot from the first and were rewarded within the first 5 minutes when they found themselves two goals to the good thanks to goals from Vikki Bunce and Charlotte Watson. Watson then hit the post soon after. Another two goals, first from Amanda Maxwell and then another penalty corner from Emily Dark in the next five minutes saw them double their advantage and take a 4-0 lead with only a quarter of the game gone. They then added another two goals to go in 6-0 at the break.
In the second half Wanderers took their foot off the gas a little but still managed to find a way through the Ards defence and Vikki Bunce finished off a fine move to make it 7-0. Ards replied soon after with a goal but it would prove to be no more than a consolation as Wanderers finished off another slick move just before the end of the game to regain their advantage. The match finished with a convincing 8-1 victory for the hosts.
Game 5 – HAHK Mladost v Highway HC
After a tight first 7 mins or so Highway grabbed the advantage with a double from #16 Ugne Chmeliauskaite before HAHK’s Monica Vadic soon pulled one back. The first half was an edgy affair with few chances and Highway went in at the break 2-1 to the good.
Highway started the second half well and doubled their lead with a goal from Kotryna Kartanovic. HAHK then began to dominate play but had little to show for their efforts. Highway took advantage of HAHK not taking their chances and scored again with a penalty corner from Ayla Esen to all but put the game to bed. Dilek Askoy then caught HAHK on the counter attack to make it 5-1 to Highway with a cool finish. Marina Abramovic pulled one back for HAHK through a penalty corner but it was not enough to make a comeback. As HAHK were pushing to get back into the game Highway caught them on the counter once more and finished the game off with a goal from Emine Bahcivan leaving the final score 6-2.
Game 6 – HC Rotweiss v Iris Hockey Lambersart
Lambersart started the better in this game and were rewarded for their early hard work when Fenke Bijen gave them the lead. Rotweiss began to pile on the pressure and were soon caught out by Lambersart who capitalised on a loose ball in the middle of the field which allowed Fenke Bijen to grab her second of the match. As the clock was beginning to wear down towards half-time, Rotweiss pulled a goal back through Stephanie Walti to make it 2-1 at the break.
The second half commenced with Rotweiss being the dominant team whilst they searched for an equaliser. Eventually they were rewarded after Tamara Trosch scored a great goal after good work from her teammates to set her up. The game was neck and neck and it looked like it was heading towards a draw until a mistake occurred in the Lambersart backline. Rotweiss were the quickest to capitalise on this and Tamara Trosch scored again to win it for Rotweiss. An entertaining game with Rotweiss showing great character to come back from two goals down to eventually win 3-2.
Game 7 – Royal Pingouin vs Ards Ladies
Royal Pinguoin made the most of early possession when they opened the scoring within 2 minutes with a goal from Anouk Raes. Ards responded well and equalised 4 minutes later with a good finish from the penalty corner by Chloe Brown. However, they were not level for long when Helene Delphee was on hand to finish off a slick move knocking it passed the stranded goalkeeper to make it 2-1. Linda Haussener then added to that lead with another fine finish to make it 3-1 before Pinouion added another before the break courtesy of an Alix Perrocheau penalty corner.
The second half began in similar fashion to the first with Royal Pingouin taking their chance early on when the ball fell to Marie Vassart who slotted home to make it 5-1. Vassart then added another quickly on the break which all but ended hopes of an Ards comeback. Ards did continue to fight but the Pingouin players outmatched them in almost every area. Anouk Raes added a double which put the final nail in their coffin with just over 5 minutes to play. A convincing win for Royal Pinguoin but Ards Ladies will be disappointed that they let Pinguoin take such control of the game.
Game 8 – Dundee Wanderers v Bowdon Hightown
Wanderers started well and had the majority of possession and made it count early on when Vikki Bunce converted a penalty corner to give them the lead after 3 minutes. Bowdon came back into the tie and piled the pressure on in what was an evenly matched half. In 8 minutes the pressure finally paid off when Sally Walton put home a penalty flick to equalise. Bowdon continued to press and again caught Wanderers on the break and Lisa Garbutt gave them the lead just before half-time.
The second half followed exactly the same pattern with plenty of Wanderer’s possession and Bowdon defending brilliantly to and attack quickly on the break. Bowdon gained a penalty stroke from one of these swift counter attacks and Sally Walton put it away giving Carmin Dow in the Wanderers goal no chance. The game continued end to end until the dramatic final minute. Firstly another break down field led to a field goal from Lisa Garbutt. Then a moment of indiscipline gave Wanderers the chance to salvage a vital point with penalty corner of the stroke of full time. The opportunity was not taken.
Links to LIVE STREAM:
EuroHockey Indoor Club Champions Cup, Minsk
EuroHockey Indoor Club Champions Trophy, Dundee