A full schedule for the penultimate day at the EuroHockey Junior Championships as the finalists were decided and the Pool C got underway. The day started with Pool C and the games to determine who would stay and who would be relegated to Championship II. Poland and Belgium both took the full 3 points on offer.
Spain, Germany, the Netherlands and England all battled it out to see who would be in the final tomorrow.
Match 15: Spain v Germany 0-3
In the first men’s semi-final of today, Germany faced Spain for a spot in the final. In the first half, both teams created chances and probing each other’s defence. Just before half time, Spain saved on the line to deny Germany to take the lead.
In the third quarter, Hartkopf took his chance and put the German ahead. 11 minutes before the end of the game, Spain had a big chance to score the equalizer but the ball went wide. In the next minute, Hartkopf pounced on a loose ball to grab his second of the afternoon and give Germany some breathing room. With 7 minutes left in the game, the Spanish took their goalie off for an extra player. But it was Germany that secured their win via Prinz who put one more for his team.
Germany is the first team qualified for the final.
Match 16: Netherlands v England 3-4
Netherlands and England faced each other in the last game of the day to determine who would be the last team to reach the final. Bijen came up with the goods for the Netherlands to put them one up on the rebound of a penalty corner early in the first quarter. In the 12th minute, Way put England back on level terms with a beauty from a penalty corner. A few minutes into the second quarter, England took the lead via Russel who smashed it into the goal from a shot on the turn. Later in the second quarter, Netherlands hit the post on a well-executed penalty corner variation. Two minutes before half time, van Bijnen finished from a close range to level up the game one more time. The Dutch and the English went into the break with the score of 2-2.
In the 47th minute, the Dutch hit the post once again from a penalty corner. But it was England that took the lead once more two minutes later on a beautiful deflection from Scott. With 4 minutes left in the game, the Dutch team took their goalie off. But only 30 seconds later, Griffiths stole it for England on a lovely finish in an empty goal. With 2 minutes left in the game, the Netherlands were awarded a penalty corner, converted by Scheen. But England managed to keep their lead and to qualify for the final. They will face Germany.
Earlier today we had the first of the Pool C games to determine who would stay in the division.
Match 13: Poland v Austria 3-2
Poland and Austria faced each other in the first game of Pool C. This game was crucial for both teams to avoid relegation. Jarzynski opened the score for Poland in the 13th minute. Just before half time, on a turnover in the Austrian defence, Majek doubled the lead for his team. The Austrian earned 3 penalty corners in a row in the last minute of the first half but couldn’t convert them.
Austria pulled themselves back into the game early in the third quarter with a good flick from Wellan. Poland had the better chances after that, trying to increase their lead. In the 42nd minute, Poland got their lead back to 2 on a nice shot on the turn from Majek for his second of the game. With eight minutes left in the game, Austria put their goalie off for an extra player. They took advantage of the extra player to put one back with 3 minutes left on the clock. But Poland managed to keep their lead and win the game 3-2.
Match 14: Belgium v France 3-1
Belgium is the fortunate team to have carried their comprehensive win (6-0) over Austria into their Pool C game, so a win today has them safely staying in the Championship division. GHISLAIN put Belgium ahead in the 21st minute, ESQUELIN added a second in the 24th and the score was 2-0 at half time. SIDLER settled the game with Belgium’s 3rd in the 40th minute. France got a consolation goal in the 49th a converted pc from CURRY.
Ranking Pool C:
| Rank | Team | Played | Wins | Draws | Losses | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Belgium | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 1 | 8 | 6 |
| 2 | France | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 7 | 4 | 3 | 3 |
| 3 | Poland | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 8 | -5 | 3 |
| 4 | Austria | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 9 | -6 | 0 |
Final Day 21st July:
| Time | Teams | Title | Pitch | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11:15 | BEL – AUT | Pool C | Pitch 2 | ||
| 13:30 | FRA – POL | Pool C | Pitch 2 | ||
| 15:00 | ESP – NED | 3rd/4th Place | Pitch 1 | ||
| 19:30 | GER – ENG | Final | Pitch 1 |
All games on Pitch 1 will be live-streamed on www.eurohockeytv.org
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Photographs: World Sport Pics (c)