Russia and Austria are our finalists in the EuroHockey Indoor Junior Championships having overcome Turkey and Switzerland in the semi-finals today.
Semi-final 1: Turkey v Belarus 1 – 6 (0 – 4)
A brilliant turnover ball and solo run by Russia’s EROSHINA in the 5th minute laid down a marker for Russia and how they intended to attack in this first semi-final here in Tarnowskie Gory. CHEPLYGINA added a second in the 11th minute and EROSHINA made it 3 for Russia in the 15th minute. MAKEEVA added another for Russia in the 18th, a powerful pc strike. The score stood 0-4 at the break.
Unfortunately, Turkey lost their no.1 keeper and captain, KOLPAKOVA, early in the second half to injury, which didn’t help with the onslaught from an ever-improving Russian team, who added 2 more in the second half. A consolation goal for Turkey, scored into an empty net just before full time didn’t change the result and Russia will compete for the title tomorrow.
Semi-final 2: Austria v Switzerland 6 – 1 (2 – 0)
A dominant performance saw Austria overpower Switzerland. SALAT opened for Austria, in the 3rd minute. BUCHTA pounced on a defensive error to give Austria their second (her first of 4 in this game). The Swiss defended well and kept the score to 2-0 until the break. A fantastic second half from Austria with some classy team play and incredible finishes from HERZOG and BUCHTA. STOMPS did score for Switzerland, but it was not enough to overturn the result. 6-1
Earlier in the relegation Pool C, the 4 teams battled it out to avoid relegation.
Pool C: Poland v Ukraine 4 – 2 (2 – 1)
Poland had a great start in this relegation pool REDER striking successfully twice in the 5th and 11th minute. Ukraine got one back, a strike from SHALYHINA in the 17th minute. Poland had a chance to push their lead to 3 in the 19th minute from the penalty spot but were denied by CHRUSZCZ in the Ukraine goal. Half time score 2-1.
Ukraine opted for a powerplay early in the second half and pressed hard to find the equaliser, but conceded a pc to Poland and REDER got her hattrick to restore their 2 goal advantage. With the one woman advantage, Ukraine continued their high press and earned a pc in the 38th minute ZAITSEVA to bring the score to 3-2 but pushing so high and without a keeper, in the end, meant they conceded another just before the full-time whistle as TATARCZUK scored into an empty net! Final score 4-2 and the hosts may have done enough to save their place in the Championship division.
Pool C: Belarus v Czech Republic 8 – 0 (5 – 0)
BATSIUKOVA (Belarus) put down her marker early in the game scoring in the 3rd minute. She went on to add 3 more to her tally, all in the first half. MIHUNOVA added a 4th just on half time to bring the score to 5-0 at half time. A tired Czech team who had thrown all of their energy into their earlier game v Austria struggled to cope with an energetic Belarus and conceded 3 more. Final score 8-0 to Belarus.
Tomorrow’s games:
| Time | Teams | Title | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10:00 | BLR – UKR | Pool C | |||
| 11:10 | CZE – POL | Pool C | |||
| 13:00 | TUR – SUI | 3rd/4th Place | |||
| 14:30 | RUS – AUT | Final |
All photographs: World Sport Pics, Frank Uijlenbroek (C)
We will have updates on all our channels:
All games are being LIVE STREAMED
The # for the event is #EHI2019