France earn much needed points in Santander

16th July 2018: Day 2 at the EuroHockey U18 Championships saw 2 very important pool games played between the Netherlands and Belgium, who shared the spoils and Ireland and France, the French taking the vital 3 points to see them off the bottom of the table. 

Ireland v France 2-3

A closely fought battle saw Ireland go into the lead courtesy of RAMSEY in the 16th minute. The French equalised a minute later via their captain CLÉMENT, a direct flick from a PC. Ireland went ahead again, a cheeky tap in from KIDD in the 34th minute, he had lost his marker and was perfectly placed behind the keeper. Once again France responded with as PIOT shot home in the 44th minute. France went ahead in the 52nd minute, another powerful drag flick from CLÉMENT. Ireland went for a power play and pressed hard to bring the game level, but it wasn’t to be and it was France who took all 3 points on offer.

Belgium v The Netherlands 3-3

A fine display of U18 hockey as the two of the powerhouses of hockey played out a draw in the final game of the day in Santander. The Belgian’s were first on the scoreboard, in a bizarre turn over from a Dutch PC. Some beautiful skill left DE PAEPE with an open goal and he made sure to smack the ball into the back of the net. A minute later BLOCKMANS put the Belgians 2-0 up, much to the bewilderment of the Dutch. Van BIJNEN put the Dutch on the scoreboard as he chipped the ball into the goal in the 27th minute. The equaliser came from van de VENNE in the 31st minute. Another goal apiece from ENGLEBERT (Bel) and a pc from van TONGEREN (Ned) brought the sides level again (3-3), and so it remained!

SANTANDER – EuroHockey Youth Championships 2018
Belgium v Netherlands (Pool B) men
Foto:
WORLDSPORTPICS COPYRIGHT FRANK UIJLENBROEK

The Final pools games will be played on Wednesday 18th to decide who will be in the semi-finals on Friday.

Pool B Ranking: