EUROHOCKEY NATIONS CHAMPIONSHIP II - MEN
Vinnitsa (UKR), 8th-14th August 2011
Pool A
Poland
Czech Republic
Wales
Sweden
Pool B
Austria
Scotland
Belarus
Ukraine
DAY 1: Monday 8 August 2011
Wales got off to the best possible start with a 2-1 victory over Poland (ranked 12 places higher) with goals from Rick Gay and Andy Cornick in the second half after going behind to a 9' goal.
The game started with both sides trying to work each other out with Poland having the first real threatening attack in the 9' resulting in a short corner which they scored to put thremselves 1-0 ahead. Wales then worked their way back into the game and looked to attack the Poles but could not get the equaliser. Poland then gained two further corners but were both well defended by the Welsh defence. After 24' Dave Kettle in the Welsh goal pulled off an excellent save to deny Poland and despite a fast counter from back to front it was the opposition 'keepers turn to make a good save to maintain the lead at halftime.
Wales came out stronger in the second half and in the 40' Andy Cornick led a good break but the Polish keeper again denied Wales the equaliser. Wales then gained their first penalty corner in the 45' after some good passing by Croxall, Siemann and Cornick which led to Rick Gay converting the chance to equalise. Poland gained their own corner in the 52' but Kettle made a good low save to deny the Poles.
Wales now started to dominate possession and in the final two minutes Cornick scored to give Wales a 2-1 victory.
A hard fought game with a good win to kick start the tournament.
| 11:00 | A | Poland | 1 | Wales | 2 |
| 13:15 | A | Czech Republic | 7 | Sweden | 1 |
| 16:00 | B | Austria | 2 | Belarus | 1 |
| 18:15 | B | Scotland | 2 | Ukraine | 1 |
DAY 2: Tuesday 9 August 2011
A game of two days with a deserved win at the very end!
Day 1 - Wales dominated the match and started with good quick passing and movement resulting in the Swedish 'keeper being forced into making a clearance after just 2'. Wales earned the first penalty corner shortly after but the resulting shot went wide. They kept the pressure on and were again unlucky not to score from a well worked move after 13' when a good scoring opportunity came and went. 25' gone and the second Welsh penalty corner saw Mike Shaw's fierce shot hit the bar and rebound to safety. The first half ended goalless and on the restart the patterns were the same with Wales dominating possession and the Swedes defending in numbers. With 20' remaining the rain came down and the pitch slowed down which suited the opposition more than Wales. Although Wales still managed to create 2 good scoring chances with just 6' 14'' remaining the game was suspended and as the rain did not ease meant that the final minutes had to be played the following morning.
Day 2 - The Welsh players still felt that the game could be won and started with a penalty corner which was charged down. However, with only 17 seconds left Wales created another opening with Owain Dolan-Gray scoring to give Wales a thouroughly deserved win, showing real character to come back on the second day to finish the job.
The other match postponed from Tuesday between Czech Republic and Poland was also played on Wednesday, and with the Czech Republic going down to Poland, Wales top the group with 6 points with the Czech Republic (tomorrow's opposition) and Poland both on 3 points.
| 14:15 | A | Wales | See above | Sweden | See above |
| 16:30 | A | Czech Republic | P | Poland | P |
DAY 3: Wednesday 10 August 2011
| 11:00 | A | Wales | 1 | Sweden | 0 |
| 12:00 | A | Czech Republic | 0 | Poland | 2 |
| 14:15 | B | Scotland | 2 | Austria | 2 |
| 16:30 | B | Belarus | 2 | Ukraine | 5 |
DAY 4: Thursday 11 August 2011
Wales played the Czech Republic requiring a point to top the group.
Wales started brightly and after 5' a well worked move down the left channel, a cross from Cornick led to Whatling scoring the early goal and settle any pre game nerves. Wales kept the pressure on the Czechs and were looking dangerous on the break but could not add to the tally. In the 31' a fast break with good inter passing between Croxall and Prosser lead to Naughalty having a shot with the keeper making a fine save to deny Wales. The half finished at 1-0 to Wales.
In the second half Wales again started well and created two good scoring opportunities but were unable to get past the Czech keeper. However after 45' the opposition scored from a penalty corner to equalise before adding another 4' later with an open play goal.
Wales then earned a short corner but the shot was well charged down and with just 5' to go the Czech keeper made another fantastic save to deny Wales the equliser with the match finishing at 1-2.
This was a game in which Wales played well but could not get past the Czech keeper who was unsurprisingly named man of the match.
A very disappointing end to the final game and despite having won two matches leaves Wales playing out for the minor places in the 'C' pool.
| 11:00 | A | Poland | 5 | Sweden | 0 |
| 13:15 | A | Wales | 1 | Czech Republic | 2 |
| 16:00 | B | Belarus | 1 | Scotland | 3 |
| 18:15 | B | Austria | 3 | Ukraine | 2 |
DAY 5: Friday 12 August 2011
Rest Day
DAY 6: Saturday 13 August 2011
In the first relegation group game agaist Ukraine, Wales started the game nervously and the first half was a cagey affair with niether side able to create any clear cut chances. The Ukrainians gained the first penalrty corner but was well defended by the Welsh. Midway into the first half after a good run down the left flank Cornick created a half chance but the Ukrainian defence held tight. The remainder of the half was a midfield battle with both sides making errors and neither side able to convert their chances.
Early in the second half the Ukrainian scored from an arial pass that the welsh defence could not handle - the score was a harsh blow and although the Welsh side created chances they struggled to open the Ukrainian defence. A disappointing
defeat that leaves the final game tomorrow as crucial one if the Welsh team is to stay at this level.
| 11:00 | C | 4A Sweden | 2 | 4B Belarus | 2 |
| 13:15 | C | 3A Wales | 0 | 3B Ukraine | 1 |
| 15:30 | SF1 | 2A Czech Republic | 2 | 1B Scotland | 0 |
| 18:00 | SF2 | 1A Poland | 3 | 2B Austria | 1 |
DAY 7: Sunday 14 August 2011
Wales were in no mood to lose this game and in the 15' Huw Jones intercepted a pass from the Belarus fullback to put Wales 1 up. After gaining their first penalty corner Wales then doubled their lead when Mike Shaw converted with a trademark flick. Wales continued to open the Belarus defence but were unable to increase their lead leaving them 2-0 ahead at halftime.
In the second half Belarus scored when a defensive lapse lead to a soft goal being conceded. After 56' Wales were unlucky to concede a penalty stroke which Belarus converted. The final few minutes were very nervy but a well worked goal in the 69' by Ben Croxall sealed a well deserved win to ensure that Wales retained their position in the Championship II division in 2013.
| 10:00 | C | 4A Sweden | 3 | 3B Ukraine | 4 |
| 12:15 | C | 3A Wales | 3 | 4B Belarus | 2 |
| 14:30 | 3/4 | Scotland | 4 | Austria | 3 |
| 17:00 | Final | Czech Republic (aet & ps) | 2 | Poland | 1 |
Final positions
1st: Czech Republic (Promoted to Championships 2013)
2nd: Poland
3rd: Scotland
4th: Austria
5th: Ukraine
6th: Wales
7th: Sweden (Relegated to Championships III 2013)
8th: Belarus (Relegated to Championships III 2013)
