EUROHOCKEY JUNIOR NATIONS TROPHY - MEN
Bra (ITA), 20th - 26th July 2008
Day 1: Sunday 20 July 2008
| 10:00 | Russia (B) | 6 | Ukraine (B) | 0 |
| 12:15 | France (B) | 4 | Switzerland (B) | 1 |
| 15:15 | Belarus (A) | 6 | Czech Rep (A) | 3 |
| 17:30 | Wales (A) | 1 | Italy (A) | 2 |
Wales got their European campaign off to a disappointing start after going down 1-2 to the host nation Italy. The visitors started strongly and controlled much of the early possession, which enabled them to contain the early enthusiasm of their opponents and to probe down the wide channels. The Italians responded by packing their midfield and defended deep, intent to play on the counter-attack. Wales had over a dozen circle entries but only one penalty corner in the first half. They failed to make the most of their openings, including two one on ones from close range. Italy had fewer chances but threatened to score on the break and squandered a guilt edged chance of their own. The score remained goalless at half-time.
The second half continued along similar lines, with the Italians proving to be hard to break down. Although Wales continued to have more of the possession, much of it was in their defensive third and they did not manage to outmanoeuvre the Italian press easily. However, they continued to create some excellent shooting opportunities but failed to beat the Italian goalkeeper who saved three close range efforts. The Italians had a good spell of possession midway through the second half and for a ten minute period dominated the midfield play. With ten minutes to play they earned a penalty corner and committed eight of their players to their routine. A fine save presented Wales with the chance to counter with a six on two situation. Three attackers confronted their goalkeeper, and despite a good initial save, Dan Berry was able to recover the rebound to score the game's opening goal.
The Italians responded immediately and seemingly caught Wales out from the restart, earning their next penalty corner within a minute. They scored by running a player in front of the goalkeeper to deflect a low drag flick. Wales continued to push forward and earned two corners of their own but failed to inject the ball more than a few meters into the circle. The Italians countered with a late corner of their own two minutes from time, which they converted with a well-placed flick to the delight of the home supporters. Wales were left to rue their missed chances and they will now need to win each of their remaining games if they wish to progress to the semi-finals.
Day 2: Monday 21 July 2008
| 10:00 | Turkey (B) | 0 | Switzerland (B) | 8 |
| 12:15 | France (B) | 4 | Ukraine (B) | 3 |
| 15:15 | Wales (A) | 5 | Belarus (A) | 2 |
| 17:30 | Italy (A) | 5 | Azerbaijan (A) | 1 |
Wales got their European campaign back on track after an encouraging 5-2 win. Belarus who had won their opening game against the Czechs 6-2 were high on confidence and awkward to play against. Their sweeper was an obvious threat; capable of throwing 65 metre aerials out of defence and a prodigious drag flicker at penalty corners. They played with two high forwards in the opposition circle and were prepared to bypass the midfield with their aerial game and aim to earn as many penalty corners as possible.
Wales showed patience in their build up and aimed to distribute through the midfield channels. They countered the aerial threat by playing a half-court press and leaving one forward high to encourage the Belarusians to play the ball out of defence on the floor. The tactic was largely successful and Wales were able to monopolise possession in the first half and force their opponents to counter-attack from deep. The deadlock was broken by a sublime reverse stick shot by striker Danny Berry who took everyone by surprise to put the Welsh one goal up. The Belarusians hit the post twice in the first half and an open goal was eventually scrambled clear after an excellent save from David Kettle in goal. Wales also saw shots saved and at half time the game was in the balance.
The Belarusians started the second half strongly. They were awarded an early corner after a clash of sticks, which they converted with a powerful low flick to draw level. The response was immediate and Wales replied with two goals in five minutes. A free hit from outside the circle saw captain Nick Rees beat the goalkeeper at the near post with a sharp deflection and a well executed penalty corner saw James Hughes score from a direct strike at goal. Although Wales looked comfortable and composed for the next ten minutes, an unforced error conceded possession and the Belarus high forward stole the ball to earn a free-hit outside the circle. It was taken quickly, and after an initial save from the goalkeeper, the rebound was put in by to bring the score line back to 3-2.
There ensued a nervous moment from a subsequent corner, before Wales regained their composure and began to string a succession of passes together. They changed the point of the attack well in order to find space and managed to earn a penalty corner. Nick Rees scored his second goal by deflecting a James Hughes drag flick, before a sweeping passing move in open play was finished clinically by Joe Naughalty with a flick from close range. Captain Nick Rees was pleased with his side's performance, "We worked very hard for this victory in this heat and when we were under pressure we responded by raising our game and taking our chances. We know that many of our games will go down to the wire here in Bra and we held our nerve well". Wales now have a rest day before their next game against the Czech Republic.
Day 3: Tuesday 22 July 2008
| 10:00 | Switzerland (B) | 2 | Ukraine (B) | 3 |
| 12:15 | Russia (B) | 5 | Turkey (B) | 2 |
| 15:15 | Azerbaijan (A) | 2 | Czech Republic (A) | 3 |
| 17:30 | Italy (A) | 1 | Belarus (A) | 3 |
Day 4: Wednesday 23 July 2008
| 10:00 | Turkey (B) | 1 | Ukraine (B) | 7 |
| 12:15 | Russia (B) | 5 | France (B) | 2 |
| 15:15 | Azerbaijan (A) | 1 | Belarus (A) | 3 |
| 17:30 | Wales (A) | 1 | Czech Republic (A) | 1 |
Although confidence was high after a promising performance against Belarus, the Czechs played a very different style which was heavily influenced by indoor hockey and was based around an effective zonal defence. Wales started strongly and had one penalty corner and two open play shots in the opening ten minutes. However, after that the Czechs began to dominate possession and opportunities began to dry up. Although Wales created turn-overs, their use of the ball was poor: execution of core skills was sloppy, they failed to string many passes together and were too content to pass the ball backwards rather than be more positive in midfield areas. The Czechs scored from their first penalty corner, by deflecting a low drag push at the near post. Wales by contrast failed to score from either of their two corners and finished the half deservedly one goal down.
After a stirring team talk by assistant coach, Matt Ruxton, Wales began to raise their game. The ball was transferred with greater purpose and the midfield began to offer more options. The three forwards began to lengthen the field and clever use of the cross field aerial by James Hughes began to pay dividends. The side began to press the Czech defence higher up the field, particularly in the corners, which proved effective. Wales had a number of open play chances, but saw shots deflected over the bar and even hit into their own players who were poaching in front of goal. In the final twenty minutes Nick Rees and Joe Naughalty ensured that there was a real sense of urgency and the Czechs were closed down aggressively. Small decisions did not quite go their way: Joe Naughalty was fouled as he was entering the circle, but was not given the advantage and his reverse stick goal was called back for the earlier infringement. A well-worked penalty corner routine which went back to the injector was deflected past the goalkeeper who managed to scoop the ball seemingly from behind the goal line. The Czechs defended resolutely but were unable to retain possession for long enough to end the spell of pressure. Time was running out. In the final minute a strong run by Lewis Prosser was blocked crudely outside the circle. Although the free-hit was awarded, Lewis was given a yellow card for insisting that the offence deserved a penalty corner. It was fortunate that the umpire did not reverse his decision, as the side managed to upgrade the free-hit to a penalty corner, which captain Nick Rees managed to convert with a low drag flick with only ten seconds remaining on the clock.
International hockey matches can be decided by the finest of margins. Although a draw suited neither team, it does at least give both sides a chance to finish second in their group to qualify for the semi-finals. Wales will need to beat Azerbaijan convincingly in their next game to improve their goal difference, and hope that Italy are defeated by the Czechs. Their fate is not in their own hands. They know that they must learn to be more clinical and to score when they are on top. Wales had twice the number of circle entries and open play shots than their opponents and eight penalty corners to the Czech two. Defender James Hughes summed up the situation, "Yeah, I am really disappointed, we let ourselves down in the first half by not imposing ourselves on the game. We sat back as if we were playing chess, rather than being ruthless. In all honesty, we should have beaten the Czechs. On the other had we were ten seconds away from being undone in Bra, so we'll take this draw".
Day 5: Thursday 24 July 2008
| 10:00 | France (B) | 6 | Turkey (B) | 0 |
| 12:15 | Switzerland (B) | 4 | Russia (B) | 4 |
| 15:15 | Wales (A) | 4 | Azerbaijan (A) | 1 |
| 17:30 | Italy (A) | 4 | Czech Republic (A) | 3 |
Wales went into the game knowing that they needed a convincing win and the result of the Italy v Czech Republic match would determine whether they would qualify for the semi-final stages. Azerbaijan were an effective side. They had limited experience and possessed some technical and tactical deficiencies, but their agility, enthusiasm and unorthodoxy made them awkward to play against. They played an open game: they liked to break forward in numbers and pack their circle in defence, and possessed a couple of seemingly indefatigable midfielders. The players were close to being professional. Wales did not underestimate their effectiveness and aimed to try to impose their structured game on the match.
Wales started well but failed to score from two open play shots and a penalty in the opening five minutes. They started to change the point of the attack well and the midfield started to play in the seams of the Azerbaijan press effectively. However, a turn-over led to a quick counter-attack from which the opponents earned a penalty corner from their first circle entry. They scored by rifling in a straight strike into the bottom left of the goal past a rather bemused Ed Jones in goal and Ben Carless on the left post.
Wales refused to panic and continued to create chances of their own. At times the build up play was slowed unnecessarily and in an effort to produce circle entries players began to take the ball into contact by taking on defenders, rather than play the simple two on one situations in front of them. This began to play into the hands of Azerbaijan who were able to get further numbers back to defend and win turn-overs with many Welsh players committed high up the pitch in support of the ball carrier.
In the pitch side shade in Bra, coaches Brian Hibbert and Matt Ruxton gave the team a couple of pointers, emphasising the importance of passing the ball better and patience. The side were creating chances and it was matter of keeping an organized structure, making full use of support players to out manoeuvre the Azerbaijan defence and then being more clinical with their finishing. The first Wales goal took a long time to come and the frustration levels amongst the players started to rise. This was not helped by being on the receiving end of several controversial decisions with Joe Naughalty receiving a yellow card with play being called back as he was bearing down on goal. This led to a minor bust up on the side line as both player and coach momentarily lost their composure. It was in the 60th minute that striker Dan Berry scored the equalizing goal with a clinical snapshot. This was swiftly followed by a goal from the hardworking Nick Rees before Berry added two more himself to complete his first international hat-trick.
Although the final score line was a fair reflection of Wales' dominance in the game, it failed to show how hard they had to work in order to get the result. Midfielder Ben Edge summed up how tough the game was: "The lads are exhausted and gave everything in this oppressive heat. We had to dig very deep to get the result we deserved and for much of the match in Bra we had our hands full".
Day 6: Friday 25 July 2008
| 09:30 | Azerbaijan (C) | 1 | Switzerland (C) | 4 |
| 11:30 | Czech Republic (C) | 3 | Turkey (C) | 0 |
| 13:30 | 5/6 Wales (AET) | 3 | Ukraine | 2 |
| 16:00 | SF1 Italy | 0 | Russia | 5 |
| 18:30 | SF2 Belarus | 1 | France | 6 |
A slightly surreal game between the Czech Republic and the hosts Italy saw the Czechs throw away a 2-0 lead in the last 10 minutes of their match to lose 2-3. The implications of this saw Italy in the space of 10 minutes move from 4th in the pool to 1st to 2nd, which resulted in Wales failing to qualify for the semi-final stages and instead playing off against Ukraine in the match for 5th/6th.
Wales started the game well and immediately started to take control of the midfield with Joe Naughalty and Lewis Prosser posting up well and turning to distribute incisive forward passes. Ben Edge made some telling runs and used his stick work to good effect to earn some penalty corners early in the half. Ukraine tended to play on the counter attack but were efficient in their use of the ball and an indoor influence was evident in their style of play. Midway through the half Ukraine scored a good breakaway goal. Then from a subsequent penalty corner, they were awarded a controversial penalty flick when defender James Hughes cleared a deflected shot of the line at shoulder height but a fine save from David Kettle low to his right ensured no damage was done.
Wales continued to play in a similar vain, knowing that they were having the greater share of possession and taking more open play shots at goal than their opponents. Daniel Berry and Nick Rees worked tirelessly in attack but saw their shots either saved or flash wide of goal. Wales' general play was very good, they changed the point of attack using crisp 20m passes and kept the ball flowing well.
The second half saw Wales continue to play well although they found their breakthrough goal hard to find. Their challenge was made all the harder when Ukraine scored a second goal with their second chance of the half which came against the run of play. Wales played with a great sense of urgency and earned a penalty corner soon afterwards. A good drag flick from Ben Carless was illegally saved on the line by a Ukraine defender only for the subsequent flick to be saved from the usually reliable Joe Naughalty. Further chances came and went with several chances missed by mistimed runs at the far post. Time was beginning to run out. Wales were having twice the circle entries as their opponents; they had eight open play shots and five penalty corners. However, with five minutes remaining captain Nick Rees finally scored the breakthrough goal and the predatory Dan Berry scored the equalizer with two minutes remaining.
The match then went into periods of extra-time with golden goal. Wales continued to press forward and were playing their best hockey of the tournament. They could feel that they had both the initiative and an edge over them in terms of fitness. Ukraine cleared a low flick off the line and then missed an open goal when a pull back from a promising right wing attack was completely missed at the far post. Eventually the match was won when a flowing move was finished clinically by Lewis Prosser who fired a reverse stick shot passed the defiant Ukrainian goalkeeper from the top of the circle. The relief was tangible and the side was pleased to have got the result which their performance deserved. Lewis reflected: "It was almost like a bad dream. We were playing some really good stuff but it seemed that each time we had a good spell of pressure Ukraine scored from one of their chances. We did brilliantly to get back into the game and our fitness was a major factor in that. I was relieved that my last minute shot hit the back of the net, particularly since I could hear people calling for a pass!"
Head Coach Brian Hibbert was pleased with the way his side played in their final few games particularly with the character they showed to fight back when they found themselves behind. However he was also disappointed that he was unable to get his side to finish in one of the top three positions, "We had the joint best defensive record of all the teams here and had one of the better goal differences. Our final ten minutes against Italy proved costly and our conversion rate with penalty corners and some of our open play chances needed to be a little better. It has not been through lack of effort or preparation and I would like to thank my players and staff for the considerable time and endeavour they have put in. Although three wins, a draw and a loss is respectable, I was hoping to get them a higher position. I believe that this squad of players had the ability to certainly finish in the top three and we had an excellent opportunity to earn a possible place at next year's 2009 World Cup".
Day 7: Saturday 26 July 2008
| 10:00 | Azerbaijan (C) | 2 | Turkey (C) | 1 |
| 12:15 | Czech Republic (C) | 1 | Switzerland | 2 |
| 15:00 | 3/4 Italy | 5 | Belarus | 6 |
| 17:30 | Final Russia | 1 | France | 0 |
Final Positions
1st: Russia (Promoted)
2nd: France (Promoted)
3rd: Belarus
4th: Italy
5th: Wales
6th: Ukraine
7th: Switzerland
8th: Czech Republic
9th: Azerbaijan (Relegated)
10th: Turkey (Relegated)
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