11th February 2017: Every game this morning counted and had a consequence and an outcome for not only the teams playing, but the other teams in the pool! So it was a high spirited and physically challenging morning here in Vienna.
WKS Grunwald Poznan 4 – 4 (3 – 2) East Grinstead
What an opening game in Vienna. Hard fought, full of drama as a high paced game swung from one end of the field. The possibilities and outcomes for both teams changing by the minute, Poznan needed a win and a draw may or may not have been enough for East Grinstead to make the semi-final.
Speaking to Nick Catlin after the game he agreed that it was a feisty game “Yes a typical indoor game feisty and pretty physical. We knew that Grunwald would be hard to beat. They are well organised, and it would be a close game.” Asking him about the game plan he said “We knew we had to be patient on the ball. solid defensively and break down their zone, which we did well. He added it was “Disappointing to concede the late goal” admitting that if he had had a “bit more composure” that his goal in the 38th minute may have been the winner. However he concluded that it was an “important goal” and now they are waiting for the German’s to do them a favour to see what their fate will be.
Uhlenhorst Mulheim 10 – 2 (4 – 0) Dinamo Stroitel Ekaterinburg
Much to the delight of East Grinstead the German’s brought their A game this morning to Vienna. A comprehensive win over the Russians with Lukas Windfeder on fire with 5 goals, 2 in the first half and 5 in the second.
Spanish striker Guillermo NEVADO opened the scoring in the 4th minute. Partille equalised in the 8th minute via LENNEVI. Both teams scored again to bring the score to 2-2 at the half. RICKLI put Complutense ahead again in the 29th minute and so it remained until the 37th minute, Partille, taking advantage of a power play, captain LUNDQVIST equalised. Partille GK FRANZEN made an important save in the 38th minute. The score remained 3-3 and Partille need to wait to see what happens in the next game to see will they make the semi-final.
SV Arminen 2 – 2 (2 – 1) AH&BC Amsterdam
Amsterdam knowing that a win would be the only way to get to the semi-final pressed hard in the opening minutes here in Vienna against the hosts. They were rewarded with a goal from their high press with a cross court pass, Johannes MOOIJ was nicely placed on the back post to put Amsterdam 0-1 ahead in the 9th minute. Arminen scored from the flick spot in the 12th minute to equal the scoreline. An awesome one legged save in the 15th minute from Amsterdam keeper GOEDEGEBUURE kept the score 1-1. A turnover ball from a defensive error by Amsterdam gave Arminen a perfect opportunity to go ahead 1-2 as STEYRER found himself with space and beat GOEDEGEBUURE firing into the bottom right corner.
An incredible second half as both teams had chances to change the scoreline early on. Amsterdam had a double PC with they didn’t convert and Arminen also had a PC, which they put wide. As the minutes ticked down the pressure increased. An easy mistake by Amsterdam under a lot of pressure from Arminen in the 37th minute as they conceded a corner. Amsterdam defence held firm and the score remained 2-1 into the last 2 minutes. A last minute power play, a yellow card and a goal from the awesome Tigges.
Speaking to Tigges after the game, he said “We missed a big chance with about 20 seconds to go.Luckily the long corner is in the game now, we kept the ball and with one more counter attack and with 2 seconds to go, turn, shoot score – what more do you want?” Speaking about the facing the Austrian’s he added “We knew Austria would play from a defensive structure, so tight, so good but we had several chances, they didn’t fall our way. It’s a pity for Partille as they are a tough team to beat as well, but in the end I think we have 4 good sides in the semi-finals.” going into the semi-finals against the German’s will be a hard, but you have to beat everyone to get into the final.
Summing up his love of Indoor hockey he remembered his old coach Roben Rösch “I had a german coach with National team for 9 or 10 years and I still remember his quote in the first year, he said if you are just one or two goals behind until the last minute, everything is possible….”
Afternoon games:
16:00 GRUNWPOZN – COMPLUTENSE Pool C
17:10 DIN STROIT – PARTILLE Pool C
18:30 UHLMULHEIM – AMSTERDAM Semi Final 1
20:00ARMINEN – EASTGRIN Semi Final 2
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