11th February 2017: The evening session here in Vienna was all about making the Final of the EuroHockey Indoor Club Cup!
Semi Final 1 – Uhlenhorst Mulheim (4 – 1) AH&BC Amsterdam
Amsterdam opened the scoring from open play via LISSONE in the 8th minute. Mulheim replied quickly as captain STRALKOWSKI went on the attack and past the Amsterdam defence flicking on the reverse into the bottom left corner. HERZBRUCH doubled the score in the 11th minute. Amsterdam then slowed the game down, outletting from the back and building up the play. A hard task with Mulheim in a full press. With possession at the premium when Mulheim had the ball they didn’t waste anytime and two goals with only 9 passes between them and Mulheim were ahead 4-1 at the break.
Amsterdam with a seemingly mountain to climb conceded 2 further goals early in the second half. STRALKOWSKI getting his 3rd of the game in the 23rd minute. At 6-2, Amsterdam, chasing the game took advantage of a German error and ROHOF on a break and beat the keeper with a direct shot. 6-3 with 9minutes to go. Amsterdam continued to press and earned a corner. PC goal for Amsterdam, a strike from TIGGES that Mulheim just couldn’t keep out. 6-4 with and game on with 4 minutes to go! Amsterdam however failed to produce the magic of the their earlier game and the German’s remained in front to claim the first final place here in Vienna.
East Grinstead have certainly been the most improved team here in Vienna. They started well against Dinamo with a 6-4 win, but in their second game they capitulated to an on form Mulheim 10-2. A draw v Grunwald was enough to squeeze them into the semi-final. They certainly showed that they were worth their semi-final place opening the scoring in the 11th minute from a free out and a long ball into the D, deflected by ALLBERRY. 0-1 to East Grinstead. The equaliser came via EITENBERGER in the 19th minute. The score was 1-1 at the half. EG had a great chance in the 23rd minute as Faulkner found himself with a free shot, a frustrated Falukner ran back in defence as he slapped the ball at the keeper who was well placed to make the save.
Armenin patiently building from the back, looking for the gaps. In the 28th minute EG won possession but a shot from Catlin went over the bar. EG were under pressure but defending very well, but an error from Scanlon led to a break from Armenin which was slipped to EITENBERGER and he didn’t hesitate to take the shot. 2-1. EG equalised as Stott lobbed the keeper in the 34th minute. With 3 minutes to play Armenin went ahead again, GRANDITS showing amazing composure under pressure. 3-2.
EG went for the power play with 1/2 minutes to play. Faulkner and Catlin leading from the back, the looked to press for a PC but the clock ran down and the final score was 3-2 in favour of the hosts.
Speaking with Armenin captain Seb EITENBERGER after the semi-final, we asked him how it felt to be in the final, at home ” It feels really good, it was our goal, the next goal is the title” speaking about East Grinstead he said that Armenin expected them to be tough opposition, they had played them in 2016 and had drawn the game. His thoughts about the final ” Mulheim are the hardest opponent here, but we want to win!” He was very thankful to the home crowd which would be a benefit tomorrow in the final.
Line up tomorrow:
| Time | Teams | Title | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10:00 | PARTILLE – GRUNWPOZN | Pool C | ||
| 11:10 | DIN STROIT – COMPLUTENSE | Pool C | ||
| 13:00 | AMSTERDAM – EASTGRIN | 3rd/4th place | ||
| 14:30 | UHLMULHEIM – ARMINEN | Final |
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