18th February 2018: Mannheimer are European Champions! What an afternoon here in Wettingen. So much at stake and the players, the umpires, the fans and coaches all combined to make an incredible afternoon at the home of Rotweiss Wettingen. Club de Campo just lost out on a medal to the hosts, Rotweiss in the Bronze Medal game. In the final, it is fair to say that MC Minsk left nothing on the pitch, they fought the German’s at time confusing them and pushed all the way to ensure that Manheimer had to play as Champions to win this Championship!
Mannheimer HC 5 – 3 (2 – 1) HC Minsk
It was clear from day 1 here in Wettingen that Mannheimer would be the team to beat! They went ahead in the final 2-0, via HASSE and LORENZ early in the tie. But an incredibly defiant Minsk came immediately back from an excellently timed ‘time out’ to get onto the scoreboard with a beautiful passage of play from TRAYAN who handed a pass to FILIPOVICH who took no hesitation in driving the ball into the back of the net. The score was 2-1 at half time.
Mannheimer, challenged by the ladies from Minsk, more so than all weekend, pilled on the pressure in the second half and were rewarded with a goal from HASSE (3-1) but then 2 penalty strokes (both upgrades from corners saved off the bodies of Minsk players on the line),were kept out by Minsk keeper FADIEIEVA. Minsk brought the game back to a one goal difference in the 29th minute via LAPITSKAYA. Mannheimer hit the post and immediately were under pressure as their keeper was forced into action. SAZHINA making a nuisance of herself! SAZHINA was on target in the 37th minute and the game was tied for a moment! PIEPER scored again for Mannheimer 4-3.
A power play for Minsk could have tied the game, but HASSE broke free and scored again 5-3 (her 3rd of the game). As the clock ticked down Minsk earned a PC, but even if they had scored, it would not have changed the outcome, as brilliant Champions Mannheimer saw out the tie to take the title.
Best player: Stephanie WÄLTI, Rotweiss Wettingen
Top Scorer: Lydia HAASE
Best Goal Keeper: Dominika NOWICKA
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