June 4th – This is our EuroHockey Challenges round-up! Catch up on all of today’s action here:
Men
EuroHockey Club Challenge I, Men, Vinnitsa
SC Stroitel Brest (BLR) – Hockey Klub Zelina (CRO) 2-2
Very exciting opening match here in Vinnitsa, with SC Stroitel Brest tying with HK Zelina. Brest held the lead for most of the game, with 2 goals by Mikhail Paulovich (#2). Zelina was down by one for most of the match, but they did not stop their efforts to get the points. In the 60th minute, Zelina’s Patryk Karamuz (#23) finally got the equaliser. The draw guarantees Brest a place in the promotion game.
Penarth HC (WAL) – TJ Plzen Litice (CZE) 1-5
Second win for the Czech side, who have earned themselves second place in pool A and will meet the host, HC OKS-SHVSM Vinnitsa, in the promotion match tomorrow.
AD Lousada (POR) – Slagelse HC (DEN) 2-2
A lot of back and forth in this game, as the stakes were high. A scoreless first quarter, game was tied 1-1 going into the last 15 minutes. A second goal apiece kept the status quo, but the result gave Lousada the one point needed to qualify for one of the two promotion matches tomorrow. Lousada will square off against Belarus’ SC Stroitel Brest.
FHC Akademik Plus Sofia (BUL) – HC OKS-SHVSM Vinnitsa (UKR) 0-17
The host stormed the team from Sofia with 17 goals to secure the last promotion place for tomorrow’s finals.
EuroHockey Club Challenge II, Men, Gibraltar
KPH Raca (SVK) – HAHK Mladost (CRO) 1-3
HAHK Mladost got an early lead, but both teams struggled to get an advantage for most of the match. In the fourth quarter, it all came to a head, when Raca equalised. This rallied HAHK and Vitallii Kalinchuk (#21) scored twice within 6 minutes, and took the points.
Grammarians HC (GIB) – Clube de Futebol Uniao de Lamas (POR) 2 – 2 (2 – 3 SO)
Cracking game in Gibraltar today, with the host and Lamas giving it their all for that promotion spot. Grammarians led at half time with a goal by Trevor Coitino (#7) after a penalty stroke. Lamas equalised in the third quarter. At the top of the fourth quarter, Grammarians Captain, Shane Rammage (#10) put the host in the lead once again, but the celebration was short lived, as Lamas go the equaliser in the last minute. A penalty shoot-out gave Lamas the win, meaning the host stays in this division and Lamas wins promotion!
Servette HC (SUI) – Gaziantep Polisgücü SK (TUR) 6-4
The final game of the tournament saw Servette HC and Gaziantep Polisgucu SK fight for third and fourth place. The umpires had to deal with a couple of issues on the pitch, including a brawl between two players. Although Polisgucu started off stronger, managing to score more goals, Servette managed to pull through into the lead later on. The final score was 6-4 for Servette.
Final Ranking
1. Servette HC (SUI) (Promoted to EuroHockey Challenge I in 2018)
1. Clube Futebol União de Lamas (POR) (Promoted to EuroHockey Challenge I in 2018)
3. Grammarians HC (GIB)
3. Gaziantep Polisgücü SK (TUR)
5. HAHK Mladost (CRO)
6. KPH Raca (SVK)
Awards
Juane Garreta, Servette HC – Top Scorer
Marc Casciaro, Grammarians HC – MVP
Paulo Nogueira, Clube Futebol Uniao de Lamas – Best Goalkeeper
EuroHockey Club Challenge III, Men, Lipovci
Asteras Agion Anargiron HC (GRE) – Kringsja Sports Klubb (NOR) 3-0
Asteras cements its place at the top of the table with this decisive victory. An early lead came in the first quarter and Kringsja was unable to break through. Asteras finished the deal with two goals in the fourth quarter. This confirms its place for tomorrow’s promotion game.
Qormi HC (MLT) – Nacka LHK (SWE) 3-3
Lively game from Qormi and Nacka, both of whom needed a win after mixed performances over the past 2 days. Qormi had an early 2 goal lead, but Nacka fought back hard to come back and score 2 goals in the last 7 minutes.
Baltic Champs (LTU) – SZLG DSE – Olcote HC (HUN) 0-0
Goalless draw for the Baltic Champs and Olcote, when both teams needed a win.
HC Lipovci (SLO) – Soerbymagle HC (DEN) 4-1
The host finishes at the top of the pool table today by beating Denmark’s Soerbymagle. There was never any doubt as Lipovci took control early, both of the action on field and the score board.
EuroHockey Club Challenge IV, Men, Predanovci
HC Stick General Toshevo (BUL) – Mortensrud-Aker SK (NOR) 7-0
Bulgaria’s Stick General Toshevo shoots to the top of the table with this commanding performance. With three goals in the first quarter conceded, Mortensrud-Aker never recoverd. Toshevo will meet Floriana Young Stars for a chance at promotion.
Start Berdyscev Region (UKR) – Floriana Young Stars HC (MLT) 5-3
A victory for the Ukrainian Start, who were in full command of the game for the first 30 minutes and build up a 2 goal lead. Floriana came back from the break ready to rumble, and it was a better match up, but they could not overcome the 2 goal lead. Start will play Finland’s Seinäjoki United tomorrow for a promotion spot.
Napeos Apollon HC (GRE) – HK Triglav Predanovci (SLO) 1-3
First Victory for the host, Triglav Predanovci in the last match of the day. Triglav got the lead in the second quarter and held onto it until the end. Nejc Potokar (#9) scored all of Predanovci’s 3 goals.
Women
EuroHockey Club Challenge I, Women, Siauliai
Douai HC (FRA) – SK Slavia Prague (CZE) 2-1
The French side, Douai HC claims the first slot at promotion matches tomorrow, with a convincing defeat of Czech SK Slavia Prague. Douai will meet Swansea City.
Parc HC Auderghem (BEL) – Swansea City HC (WAL) 0-1
Defense was the name of the game in the last match up of the day. Neither team wanted to concede any goals, but the Welsh team seized the opportunity in the last quarter to get ahead. Swansea City take the points and the semi final spot.
Navax EuroHockey Club Challenge II, Women, Vienna
Black Boys HC Geneve (SUI) – HC Rotweiss Wettingen (SUI) 1-1
A tight game between both Swiss teams. The tie means Black Boys is in the running for promotion tomorrow, while Rotweiss got bumped to third place after Arminen’s victory over Prague.
SV Arminen (AUT) – HC 1946 Praga (CZE) 2-1
Arminen secure second place in pool A with a victory over 1946 Praga. Arminen got in the lead in the second quarter and held strong in a fraught match. Prague managed to get a bit closer with a goal in the last quarter but it was not enough. Arminen will meet formidable University of Edinburgh in tomorrow’s match.
Iris Hockey Lambersart (FRA) – Navax AHTC Wien (AUT) 3-0
Iris Hockey Lambersart wins its last pool match against host Navax AHTC today in Vienna. Navax had the crowd on its side, but Lambersart had more control and outplayed them. Lambersart will compete for promotion tomorrow against Black Boys Geneve.
Whitchurch Saints (WAL) – University of Edinburgh HC (SCO) 0-7
Another powerful performance from Edinburgh, who look ready to take the top spot tomorrow following three high scoring wins. Special mention to Zara Malseed (#19) who scored a hat trick.
EuroHockey Club Challenge III, Women, Porto
Grupo Desportivo do Viso (POR) – Nacka LHK (SWE) 1 – 1 (2 – 3 SO)
Host Viso met Nacka today for the 5/6 place game. Both teams wanted a win in their books for their last match, but played cautiously. Nacka was up by one for most of the game, Viso finally broke through in the 51st minute, forcing a shoot-out. Nacka scored 3 to Viso’s 2 and keeps 5th place.
AZS Politechnika Poznanska (POL) – Copenhagen Hockeyclub (DEN) 12-0
Polish side AZS Politechnika Poznanska takes its crowning victory after a stellar performance in Porto. Special mentions to Magdalena Zagajska (#25) who scored 4 goals and Bianca Strubbe (#11) who scored a hat trick and wins top scorer of the tournament!
Zuvedra Tauras (LTU) – HAHK Mladost (CRO) 3-0
Last match of the tournament, Zuvedra maintained its winning streak and takes the five points.
Final Ranking
1. AZS Politechnika Poznanska (POL) (Promoted to EuroHockey Challenge II in 2018)
1. Zuvedra Tauras (LTU) (Promoted to EuroHockey Challenge II in 2018)
3. Copenhagen HC (DEN)
3. HAHK Mladost (CRO)
5. Nacka LHK (SWE)
6. Grupo Desportivo do Viso (POR)
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