19th January 2017: The EHF is gearing up with the teams from Turkey, Russia, Italy, Czech Republic, Switzerland, Poland, Belarus and Austria for the EuroHockey Indoor Junior Championships, Women, here in Vienna.
The Tournament, scheduled to start tomorrow at 09:00hrs with a game between Turkey and Italy will, after 20 games decide who is the Junior Indoor Champions of Europe in 2017!
According to the ranking, the Russians come into the event as favourites and top ranked team from the Championships in 2015, where they beat Poland in the Final.
Speaking to the Russian coach Sergei SNEGIREV, he told us that “This is a very important international event for us. We never underestimate opponents, we are trying to have fun playing vs any team.” We asked him did he have a stand out player we should watch out for but he was adamant “All the players are young enough to take notice of some of them the will show who is the best.”
Austria, the hosts finished as Bronze medalists and are hoping that the home advantage will push them higher up the ranking. Turkey were the surprise of 2015, a well organised and drilled team that pushed Austria hard in that bronze medal play off, so another medal contender. Czech Republic were disappointed in 2015 so this time hope to make the semi-finals.
Belarus, Italy and Switzerland make up the remaining 3 teams, all with ambitions to display some great hockey and also enjoy this high level event.
We have been lucky enough to catch up on Belarus captain Yauheniya Flipipovch as she and her team are taking their long 20hr bus trip to Vienna.
We asked her about their preparation in the build up to the event: “Before the tournament our team took part in training camp on November. Then we went to the Ukraine to international tournament in Sumy that was called “Christmas tournament” there we were third. Finally last weekend the girls from our team played in Belarus championship in their clubs.”
Who do you think will be your strongest opposition? “I think that all of our opponents are strong. I can’t say who is strongest team, I guess the matches between us show it!!!!”
And what is your aim for the event Yauheniya? “The aim in this championship to take part in semi-final matches. Our team aim is to show exciting games and make our fans happy.”
Full schedule of games here:
https://testceelect.co.uk/competitions/eurohockey-indoor-junior-championships-women/
In addition to Highlights and Live Streaming, see below links:
On Friday and Saturday morning there will be highlights via http://www.hockeytv.at/
On Saturday morning and all Day Sunday we are live streaming:
Day 2 PM: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qlC5vLkPcZw
Final Day: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oDz-cowoFQU
Results will also be tweeted – so be sure to follow us on @eurohockeyorg
Full gallery of photographs https://www.facebook.com/EuroHockeyorg/
Photograph: Belarus are ready!