24-27 May 2007, Venue: Swansea (WAL)

POOL A
Real Club de Polo de Barcelona (ESP)
HC Gintra-Strekte-Universitetas (LTU)
ARA La Gantoise (BEL)
St Germain HC (FRA)

POOL B
Hermes (IRL)
HC Mori Villafranca (ITA)
Swansea LHC (WAL)
HC Rotweiss Wettingen (SUI)

Match Schedule

Day 1: Thursday 24 May 2007

Swansea Ladies in Europe
Swansea kicked off their European Trophy campaign today against a very fit and skilful Italian team, which included several internationals from all over the world.
Swansea competed well in the first 15 minutes, playing some superb flowing hockey and their dominance was rewarded when Sian Fowler played a superb, selfless pass across the circle to Clare Halliday who calmly slotted it home.
But the celebrations were short lived, as the Italians played a clever one-two down the centre of the pitch straight from the re-start to level the scores. Within 5 minutes, a loss of possession in the Swansea midfield, gave the Italians an overload against the Swansea defence and with some direct circle play, HC Mori Villafanca took the lead into half time.
The second half saw Swansea continue with precise, flowing hockey and dogged determination. Two quick counter attacks saw HC Mori Villafranca extend the lead which caused the score line not to reflect the overall balance of the game.
Swansea can take a lot of positives from this performance but the continuity play needs to be further developed to ensure goals are scored from good possession. With Robyn Wilford hopefully returning from injury and Angharad Griffith returning from medical degree exams, will add depth to the centre of the pitch and the squad.

Day 2: Friday 25 May 2007

Swansea Ladies in Europe
The lessons of the previous day’s match did not appear to have been heeded by Swansea in this game as Hermes pressurised from the outset and defensive errors resulted in two goals being conceded within the first ten minutes. Having to play catch up hockey from such an early point led to Swansea forcing the play too often and not being able to work to any coherent pattern. Lack of possession was a problem throughout the game despite the efforts of Robyn Wilford, Kat Budd and Sian Fowler to challenge the Irish domination. The strikers saw very little of the ball in the first half as the defence was put under immense pressure. Amanda Roberts and Lindsay Cole played with authority at the back while Emily Scudamore put in her usual display of hard tackling. The Irish team, however, were transferring the ball extremely well and this led to another score before half time.
At 3-0 down Swansea looked to make an impression on the score line but Hermes maintained a close control of possession to score again early on in the second half. The constant pressure was beginning to drain the Swansea players’ energy when they suffered another serious facial injury – this time to Emily Scudamore – meaning that she would take no further part in the tournament. Angharad Griffiths took her place and worked hard to contain the rampant Irish forwards. A further two goals came in the last ten minutes, however, giving Swansea plenty to think about for the cross-over deciding game with the Swiss.

Day 3 : Saturday 26 May 2007

Swansea Ladies in Europe
With the top and bottom half's of the pool already decided, Swansea went into their final pool match against the Swiss from Rotweiss Wettingen looking to boost their confidence after two successive defeats.
Swansea dominated the first 15 minutes and had a number of chances to take the lead but could not make the final shot count. In pushing forward, Swansea left a few gaps at the back which the Swiss were quick to take advantage of and only a few decisive tackles prevented the opposition from taking the lead. Towards the break Rotweiss started to take control of the match but may be considered a little fortunate in taking one of their few chances when scoring a scrappy goal following a short corner in the dying seconds of the half.
Swansea came out determined to get back into the game but could not find the equalising goal and it was Rotweiss who scored next to lengthen their advantage. Swansea felt the attackers stick did not touch the ball on its way into the goal but the decision was to stand. Swansea pressed even harder but paid the price when the opposition broke away and with some slick passing took a 3-0 lead. With 10 minutes to go, Robin Wilford tapped in from a short corner to give Swansea some hope but time ran out with no further goals.
Swansea face a crucial last match against ARA La Gantoise of Belgium with the losers being relegated to the Challenge Division.

Day 4 : Sunday 27 May 2007

Swansea Ladies in Europe
This final game started with Carys Hopkins almost getting a goal in the first minute when she pressurised defenders close to the goal forcing the Belgian keeper to foul her as she went to play the ball and to concede a penalty corner. Once again, however, the rehearsed short corner move was not completed effectively and the opportunity to make an early statement was lost. Both teams were rather tentative in the poor weather conditions, although the Swansea players were very early on showing signs of tiredness after three hard games. The Belgians were the first to score from a penalty corner taken from the right when the absence of a challenge allowed the Belgian striker a clear shot at goal to score. They went 2-0 up not long afterwards when another defensive lapse allowed a clear run on goal and the Belgian player took the opportunity very clinically. Swansea were now forced into being positive and tremendous driving play by Amanda Roberts, beating a number of players, saw her win a penalty corner. This time the move was executed superbly. Carys injected and was at the near post to convert the accurate delivery to her. At 2-1 it was all to play for at half time. 
Early on in the second half a Belgian player was allowed to run down the right channel and around into the D to deliver a well directed pass to an unmarked player who slotted home to make it 3-1. For the next 20 minutes Swansea worked and strained to get another goal. Chances arose but it appeared that it was not to be Swansea’s day. Kat Budd brought the ball through well and Carys went close. Then Sarah Sloane almost deflected a hit in by Robyn Wilford - but it was not to be. The Swansea players were out on their feet by the end and hugely disappointed, knowing that they had the beating of this Belgian team.

Final standings:
=1st Real Club de Polo de Barcelona (Promoted)
        HC Gintra-Strekte-Universitetas (Promoted)
=3rd Hermes
        HC Mori Villafranca
=5th ARA La Gantoise
        St Germain HC
=7th Swansea LHC (Relegated)
        HC Rotweiss Wettingen (Relegated)

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