The final day of Round 1a of the Euro Hockey League was another full of exciting action, as Spain's Club Egara, Amsterdam H&BC and HC Bloemendaal all secured impressive victories.Despite many of the teams already certain of qualification, the importance of claiming the top spot in the pool still needed to be decided, as a second place finish would mean that they would have to face a group winner in Round 2.
Spain`s Club Egara made it two wins from two with a stunning victory over Der Club an der Alster, confirming their status as pool winners. Former Italy international Guillermo Schickendantz scored his second hat trick in two days as Egara eased to a 4-0 triumph over the champions of Germany. It was a performance that suggested that they are serious contenders for the EHL title.
A hat trick from Santi Freixa helped Amsterdam H&BC to an 8-0 success over Ukraine’s Olimpia Kolos Sekvoia, and ensured that they would finish top of Pool C to qualify for Round 2. The win for Amsterdam eliminated Sekvoia from the competition, meaning that WKS Grunwald Poznan of Poland qualified for round 2 by virtue of finishing second in the pool.
HC Bloemendaal go into Round 2 as the top ranked team from pool D following a convincing 5-2 victory over England`s Cannock HC. Richard Lane had given Cannock a shock lead early on, but Bloemendaal proved too strong for their opponents, with Lawrence Docherty, Martijn van Mierlo (2), Ronald Brouwer and Rodrigo Garza all contributing to the score sheet. Cannock also qualify for Round 2, courtesy of Bloemendaal`s victory over Dinamo Kazan yesterday.
The final game of the day, between St Germain and Dusseldorfer witnessed an incredible finish. Dusseldorfer needed just a draw to secure top spot in the pool, but found themselves 3-1 down with just three minutes left to play. However, Max Schroeter pulled a goal back before two St Germain players were yellow carded. It seemed that St Germain would hang on until an incredible last second equaliser from Jan Fischer meant that Dusseldorfer finished ahead of opponents St Germain in Pool B, ensuring that they would avoid a Pool winner in Round 2. The match ended 3-3, with Dusseldorfer scoring two goals in the last three minutes to break Parisian hearts.
Club Egara`s Guillermo Schickendantz finished Round 1a as top scorer, with an amazing six goals. The prolific forward scored two hat tricks over the weekend. Amsterdam H&BC`s Santi Freixa also had a cracking weekend, scoring five times in his two matches. Richard Lane (Cannock HC), Ronald Brouwer (HC Bloemendaal) and Clement Coty (St Germain) all scored four times. Nine players have two goals, with 28 other players scoring over the weekend. An incredible total of 81 goals were scored in the 12 matches played.
Round 1a took place at Amsterdam H&BC in The Netherlands, with Round 1b being played in Lille next weekend. For extended match reports and tournament information please visit the Euro Hockey League website: www.ehlhockey.tv.
Round 1a – Amsterdam H&BC, 24-26 October 2008
Match Schedule and results
Friday 24 October 2008
Pool A – KS Pocztowiec Poznan v Der Club an der Alster: 0-3 (0-2)
Pool D – Cannock HC v Dinamo 5-4 (3-3)
Pool C – Olimpia Kolos Sekvoia v WKS Grunwald Poznan 2-5 (1-2)
Pool B – HC Bra v St Germain 1-3 (0-2)
Saturday 25 October 2008
Pool A – Club Egara v KS Pocztowiec Poznan 8-1 (5-0)
Pool D – Dinamo Kazan v HC Bloemendaal 1-8 (0-5)
Pool C – WKS Grunwald Poznan v Amsterdam H&BC 1-8 (1-3)
Pool B – Dusseldorfer HC v HC Bra 4-2 (2-1)
Sunday 26 October
Pool A – Der Club an der Alster v Club Egara – 0-4 (0-3)
Pool C – Amsterdam H&BC v Olimpia Kolos Sekvoia – 8-0 (4-0)
Pool D – HC Bloemendaal v Cannock HC – 2-1 (5-2)
Pool B – St Germain v Dusseldorfer HC – 2-1 (3-3)
Classification
Pool A
1st: Club Egara – Qualified for Round 2
2nd: Der Club an der Alster – Qualified for Round 2
3rd: KS Pocztowiec Poznan
Pool B
1st: Dusseldorfer HC – Qualified for Round 2
2nd: St Germain HC – Qualified for Round 2
3rd: HC Bra
Pool C
1st: Amsterdam H&BC – Qualified for Round 2
2nd: WKS Grunwald Poznan – Qualified for Round 2
3rd: Olimpia Kolos Sekvoia
Pool D
1st: HC Bloemendaal – Qualified for Round 2
2nd: Cannock HC – Qualified for Round 2
3rd: HC Dinamo Kazan
