EuroHockey Club Challenge I (women)
The results from day two means that there is everything to play for going into the final round of pool games. It couldn’t be closer in Pool A, with the two leaders – Edinburgh University and Rotweiss Wettingen – tied at the top. They play tomorrow (20 May) for top spot, while Gintra Strekté need to beat Braxgata to overhaul the Belgium team at the top of Pool B.
Pisa vs Gintra Strekté University 0-3
The second day of action in Edinburgh started with Pisa playing Gintra Strekté. The Lithuanian side were dominant throughout the match with Samanta Jakovleva, Monika Balčiūnienė and Erlanda Nomeikaitė all getting on the scoresheet. The result puts Gintra Strekté into second place in Pool B, four points behind tomorrow’s opponents Braxgata HC.
Braxgata vs Clydesdale 4-0
Braxgata HC made it two wins from two matches as they beat Clydesdale Western of Scotland by a comprehensive 4-0 scoreline. The goal scorers were Silke Steenackers, Barbara Nelen and Julie Halsberghe (2). The result cements the Belgium team’s place at the top of Pool B.
Metrostroy vs Rotweiss Wettingen 0-1
The third match between the Russian team Metrostroy and Rotweiss Wettingen of Switzerland was a closely fought encounter between two sides looking for a first win. In the end it was a single goal that decided the match. Anastasia Mokot received a yellow card in the 57th minute and the Swiss team were able to profit from the player advantage. A goal in the 59th minute from Sofie Stomps gave Rotweiss the three points and moved them to joint leaders in Pool A.
Edinburgh University vs Swansea 1-1
The final game of Day 2 saw Edinburgh University battling against Welsh side Swansea City. The student team scored the first goal of the match, with Zara Malseed shooting it into the back of the goal. However Swansea responded swiftly through Livvy Hoskins. The result means the host team are joint top of Pool A going into the final pool games.
EuroHockey Club Challenge II (women)
Things are tight at the top in Pool B of the EuroHockey Challenge II after two days of action. SV Arminen head Pool B ahead of Zuvedra Tauras on goal difference, so tomorrow’s clash between the two sides will be a crucial one. Home side Gantoise are top of Pool A with two wins from two and tomorrow face Amiscora of Italy who are yet to win a game.
SV Arminen vs Douai HC 3-0
The opening game of Day Two in Ghent, Belgium, saw SV Arminen record a straightforward win over Douai. The Austrian team were by far the stronger team and they secured their second win in Pool B with two goals from Magdalena Zagajska and a third from Lea Fleischhacker.
Poznan Politecnika vs Zuvedra Tauras 3-5
The second Pool B match between Poznan Politecnika and Zuvedra Tauras was a fantastic match that showcased the excitement and skill level of women’s hockey. Individual skills, drama and a scoreline that swung one way and then the other. Despite Poznan Politecnika twice taking the lead, an explosive third quarter saw Tauras go from being 3-2 down to taking home the points with a 3-5 win.
HC 1972 Rakovnik vs SG Amsicora ASD 4-1
HC 1972 Rakovnik bounced back from the previous day’s 9-0 loss to beat Italian team SG Amsicora ASD by a comprehensive 4-1 scoreline. The Italians were the better team in the first half, but Czech goalkeeper Lenka Morova excelled and kept her team in the game. A single goal from Veronica Skrancova was the difference between the teams going into the final quarter but then the Czech Republic team really piled on the pressure and raced to a 4-0 lead. Sara Belloni scored a consolation goal just before the final whistle.
Black Boys HC Geneve vs Gantoise HC 0-1
The last game between Gantoise and Black Boys was a one way game of hockey with Gantoise creating chance after chance. The Swiss defence, led by the excellent Carolina Sanchez in goal, held up until well into the second half but a smart penalty corner strike by Stephanie Vanden Borre gave the home team the lead and, ultimately, the three points. The result leaves Gantoise at the top of Pool A after two games.
EuroHockey Club Challenge III
Nacka LHK 0 Gaziantep Polisgücü SK 0-4
Gaziantep Polisgücü SK made it two wins from two to top Pool A on goal difference as they proved too strong for Sweden’s Nacka LHK, assuring them of a place in one of Monday’s finals with AHTC Wien. Nacka LHK had their moments but a goal in each of the four quarters saw the Turkish side win out with Fatma Songul Gultekin setting them on their way. Yeter Celik scored next before Perihan Kucukkkoc made it three; Nurhan Cinar completed the win.
HAHK Mladost 1 AHTC Wien 5
NAVAX AHTC Wien set up a day three showdown with Gaziantep Polisgücü SK for first place in the group thanks to a 5-1 win over Croatia’s HAHK Mladost. They had them under pressure from the start and took three minutes to go in front via Christine Hadamofsky. Further strikes from Marie Schneeweis and Ruth Wittmann put them three clear at half-time and they never looked back
Pool B: Copenhagen 1 Cardiff University 1
Cardiff University remain unbeaten while Copenhagen got off the mark with both scoring late in the game for a draw. For both teams, a great fighting spirit and improved play lead to a deserved result. Cardiff went in front in the 51st minute from a penalty corner but they were denied a second win of the competition when Katja Christensen levelled from a penalty stroke in the closing minute.
HK Zelina 3 Grupo Desportivo de Viso 2
HK Zelina are in great shape to top the group as they are the only side with two wins from two, meaning they need only a draw against Cardiff on Sunday to stay in first but a promotion playoff place on Monday is already assured. Petra Hrupec gave Zelina a great start before Raquel Pinto equalised in the 10th minute. Una Litvic restored the Croats lead in the third quarter but Pinto’s second tied things up with 10 minutes to go. Zelina, however, replied within 60 seconds with Ivana Nina Nikolic scoring the winner.