Day 1 in The Hague and Pool A featured a number of draws, but it was the hosts hdm and MSC Sumchanka that will now have a battle to top the pool in their game tomorrow, both on 7 points and hdm have one goal more to see them topping the pool at the end of the day! Pool B is clearer with Dusseldorf on 10 points after two games and assured a semi-final slot. Who will join them will be determined by the two early games tomorrow as both Arminen and Minsk could qualify with many permutations possible!
Ranking Pool A
| Rank | Team | Played | Wins | Draws | Losses | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | hdm (NED) | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 8 | 4 | 4 | 7 |
| 2 | MSC Sumchanka (UKR) | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 7 | 3 | 4 | 7 |
| 3 | Club Campo de Madrid (ESP) | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 6 | -4 | 2 |
| 4 | East Grinstead (ENG) | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 5 | -4 | 2 |
Ranking Pool B
| Rank | Team | Played | Wins | Draws | Losses | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Düsseldorfer HC (GER) | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 4 | 4 | 10 |
| 2 | HC Minsk (BLR) | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 6 | 3 | 3 | 7 |
| 3 | SV Arminen (AUT) | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 4 | -1 | 3 |
| 4 | Dinamo Elektrostal (RUS) | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 10 | -6 | 0 |
Match 1: Dinamo Elektrostal v HC Minsk 1-4
In the opening game of the Tournament, HC Minsk got the better of the Russian Dinamo in a closely matched tie. Minsk was ahead at the half-time break but Dinamo got on the scoresheet in the 23rd minute to even up the game. But it was in the second half that the Minsk team made their mark going ahead in the 3rd quarter and taking advantage of a Russian powerplay slotting two goals past the defence without their goalkeeper. An excellent start to the tournament.
Match 2: Düsseldorfer v SV Arminen 2-1
In the second game of the day, a strong performance from SV Arminen challenged the German’s having gone 1-0 up early in the first half. The ladies from Dusseldorf were slow into this event and it wasn’t until the second half that they really challenged the Austrian’s. Two goals in the second half were enough to claim a hard-fought 5 points.
Match 3: Club Campo de Madrid v East Grinstead 0-0
The result reflected the evenly fought game as both sides looked to break the deadlock. Club the Campo had the best chance of the game but the post denied them as the ball bounced off the post at the end of the 3rd quarter. Some brave defending from East Grinstead towards the end of the game keeping the Spanish out!
Match 4: hdm v MSC Sumchanka 2-2
In front of a noisy crowd, the hosts hdm managed to get a draw v the Ukrainian champions Sumchanka. Sumchanka went ahead in the 7th minute, the goal being neutralised in the 8th by hdm. Late into the third quarter, the teams exchanged a goal each and in spite of some decent chances in the final quarter, neither side was able to secure the win.
Match 5: HC Minsk v SV Arminen 2-2
Another 2-2 draw was anything but dull as the final 3 minutes of the game saw Arminen draw level after Minsk’s early lead. Then Arminen went ahead and with 1 second on the clock, they conceded a pc, which led to a second pc and a goal in overtime gave Minsk a draw and 7 points for their efforts from their 2 games.
Match 6: Dusseldorfer v Dinamo Elektrostal 6-3
A dominant performance for the Germans gave them a clear 5 points from this game and in pole position overnight with 2 wins from 2 and 10 points.
Match 7: MSC Sumchanka v East Grinstead 5-1
A solid game from Sumchanka, positioning themselves with 7 points in Pool A. A good game from East Grinstead despite the result, showing nice teamwork and a positive attitude. They’re facing an important game tomorrow against hdm with the same attitude (in words of the captain) to exit the last position in Pool A.
Match 8: Club de Campo vs hdm 2-6
A crowded stadium made it a tough game for the Spanish team after a tie against East Grinstead in the morning. A good start with a fast goal and the lead was quickly overturned by the locals. The second-quarter was dominated by the Dutch team with one goal, some pressure from Club de Campo and one PC. The game ended 1-3 in favour of the hosts. A penalty stroke in the 22nd minute gave the hosts a comfortable lead heading into the final quarter. Campo did get on the scoresheet again but hdm lifted their game in front of the home crowd to finish 2-6 and a pool topping game v Sumchanka tomorrow morning!
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All photographs: World Sport Pics / Willem Vernes (C)
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