EUROHOCKEY INDOOR NATIONS CHALLENGE - MEN
Rouen (FRA), 15-17 January 2010
Single Pool
Finland
France
Norway
Wales
DAY 1: Friday 15 January 2010
After an long absence from the international indoor game, Wales played France in the opening match in Rouen. In the first eight minutes Wales took control of the game and took a two-goal lead with Joe Naughalty and Andy Siemann scoring from short corners. France then punished mistakes made by the Welsh team to score 3 quick goals in 5 minutes. This turn of fortune enabled the French side to play with plenty of flare and confidence and they added another 3 goals to take a 6-2 half time lead,
Early in the second half Wales conceded another quick goal but in the 26' Naughalty scored his second goal again from a short corner to make the scoreline 3-7. Both sides had chances to score but Wales missed theirs with the French converting theirs to finish the game 3-11 winners.
It was disappointing game for Wales who will be looking to play France again on Sunday in the final if they achieve the tasks of gaining victories against Finland and Norway on Saturday.
| 13.15 | Finland | 2 | Norway | 2 |
| 14.20 | Wales | 3 | France | 11 |
DAY 2: Saturday 16 January 2010
Wales recorded two emphatic victories against Finland and Norway ensured that they will play France in the final on Sunday.
in their first game against Finland Wales won 8-0 (Half time 4-0) with goals from Siemann 3, Naughalty 2 Prosser 2 and playing coach Zak Jones. It was a game where Wales could have lost momentum but were clinical in all area to win convincingly.
In the second game against Norway, Wales won convincingly 16-1 with goals from McNaught-Barrington 6, Croxall 3, Siemann 3, Prosser 2, Naughalty and Joyce. In another outstanding performance Wales easily overcame the opposition to record the highest score of the tournament and achieve a place in the final.
| 12.45 | France | 15 | Norway | 2 |
| 13.50 | Finland | 0 | Wales | 8 |
| 18:10 | Wales | 16 | Norway | 1 |
| 19:15 | France | 8 | Finland | 1 |
DAY 3: Sunday 17 January 2010
Wales played France in the final and promotion play off.
Both teams started the game with tight very defences, but the French unlocked the Welsh team after they lost possession to take a 1-0 early on in the game. The game remained a tight affair and both teams created chances but the France went into half time 3-0 up.
Wales came out and started to make hard work for the French but were unable to convert chances. Eventually the French won 5-1 with Wales's only goal came from a penalty corner scored by McNaught-Barrington. It was a close final and had Wales converted their open play and corners could have won.
Overall scorers for Wales (who won the Fair Play trophy) were: McNaught-Barrington 7, Siemann 7, Naughalty 5, Prosser 4, Croxall 3, Joyce and Jones.
Overall the target was to reach the final, and having got there it was disappointing not to win as we could have if we had converted our penalty corners and open play opportunities.
A fantastic learning curve for the squad who improved with every game they played.
| 13.40 | Finland | 3 | Norway | 0 |
| 15:10 | France | 5 | Wales | 1 |
Final Positions:
1st France (promoted)
2nd Wales
3rd Finland
4th Norway