1st August 2009
EUROHOCKEY NATIONS TROPHY (Men)
DAY 1: Saturday 1 August 2009
Ireland win opener
Ireland, the tournament's top-ranked side, laboured to a 2-1 victory in the EuroHockey Nation's Trophy as Belarus - 12/1 outsiders for the win in the eyes of one online bookmaker - produced an early scare, dominating the early stages of the competition's opener.
Ivan Kisliavich's high drag-flick in the 18' gave the Belarussians a deserved lead from their second corner of the game. The goal, though, sparked the Irish into action and the lead swapped hands within four minutes with John Jermyn and Alan Sothern both firing home penalty corners.
Thereafter, Ireland dominated play, pinning Belarus back and creating numerous shooting opportunities. Siarhei Mishevivich pulled off a series of saves from Eugene Magee, Stephen Butler and Timmy Cockram while Alan Giles twice went close but a two-goal advantage never materialised, leading to nervy closing stages.
Reporter: Stephen Findlater
For photos of this match visit www.fidopics.co.uk and click 'Euro Hockey Nations'
| 10.00 | A | Ireland | 2 | Belarus | 1 | |
Hat-trick hero wins it for Russia
A second-half Alexey Sergeev hat-trick underpinned Russia's thrilling 6-3 win over Italy to join Ireland at the top of Pool A after the first series of games.
They cut loose after the turnaround after an evenly balanced first half ended 1-1. Alexander Korolev got the Russians off to a dream start with a cracking aerial in the fourth minute.
But Italy got back on terms inside 90 seconds with an equally brilliant goal. Agustin Nunez latched onto a 70-metre overhead before firing a perfect cross for Southgate's William Cottam to slide in and deflect over Roman Rogov.
Russia edged the rest of the half but had to wait to the second period to retake the lead. Sergeev began his personal tally in the 40' with a neatly worked corner move. And he made it 3-1 four minutes later from the penalty spot after Dimitry Volkov's stick was checked.
Nunez pulled one back from Italy's second penalty corner with a tracer-bullet to the bottom right corner but the two-goal advantage was restored in the 61' with another innovative Russian corner move, Korolev deflecting high into the net. Sergeev scrambled in to complete his hat-trick before Alexander Likov made it a half-dozen, profiting from delightfully selfless work from skipper Alexandre Plantonov. Daniele Malta bashed in a consolation goal for Italy with the last touch of the game.
Reporter: Stephen Findlater
For photos of this match visit www.fidopics.co.uk and click 'Euro Hockey Nations'
| 12.30 | A | Russia | 6 | Italy | 3 | |
Czechs bank points against the Swiss
The Czech Republic got Pool B under way with a 3-1 victory over Switzerland, recovering from a 21' deficit to ease home in the final reckoning. The Swiss star man Ulli Bergmann broke the deadlock, shooting low from his side's penalty corner. But rapid fire strikes from Martin Babicky and Jakub Kyndal - both with major elements of fortune on their side - turned the game on its head, making it 2-1 at half-time. Babicky guided in the third with eight minutes to go before Fabian Wullschegler missed a penalty stroke for the Swiss in the closing stages.
Reporter: Stephen Findlater
Photos of each match available at www.fidopics.co.uk - click on Euro Hockey Nations tab.
| 15.00 | B | Czech Republic | 3 | Switzerland | 1 | |
Superb Wales triumph over Scotland in EuroHockey Nations Trophy
Wales produced a rousing second half performance to win the Celtic battle against Scotland 4-2 and take the early initiative in Pool B.
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Rick Gay's drag-flick double and a brace from Rhys Joyce did the damage for the home nation as they survived 15 minutes worth of sin-binnings and seven penalty corners for a famous win. Indeed, they soaked up huge pressure but, ultimately, their greater proficiency in either circle saw Wales home. It was Scotland, however, who made the brighter start to score the earliest goal of the tournament to date with Fergus Dunn pounding home a reverse-stick effort on 34 seconds after Chris Nelson's clever auto-pass. And the Scots' intricate interplay saw them well on top in the opening quarter. But the Welsh defence stood firm and, with early nerves overcome, saw Huw Jones go close twice in quick succession. Their third major attack, on 23', yielded the equaliser. An underhit backpass was robbed by Ben Croxall and in a three-on-one position with Ali McGregor, leaving Joyce with a simple task for 1-1.
The Scots let a quartet of corners slip through their fingers as the temperature rose in the second half and they were punished for their wasteful nature as Gay nailed Wales' first set-piece in the 46' - awarded after Andy Cornick's surge through the heart of Scotland's defence. Gay doubled up three minutes later to make it 3-1. The sweeper was then instrumental in keeping the two goal advantage in tact as Nick Rees was given a five-minute cooling off period. Huw Jones followed him to the bin for a hefty stick tackle to sit out the last ten minutes. Dunn redirected Willie Marshall's long ball to set up a grandstand finish.
But Croxall earned a penalty stroke, his pull-back blocked by the diving body of Marshall and Joyce duly dispatched to ease the tension.
Wales take on the Czech Republic on Sunday 2nd August at 1800 - tickets still available!!
Reporter: Stephen Findlater
For photos of this match visit www.fidopics.co.uk and click 'Euro Hockey Nations'
| 17.30 | B | Scotland | 2 | Wales | 4 | |
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Note: Match schedule subject to amendment at the discretion of EHF or the Tournament Director.