Women’s Eurohockey Indoor Nations Championships III
Gondomor (POR), 20-22 January 2012
One Pool
Belgium
Croatia
Italy
Portugal
Sweden
Turkey
Wales
DAY 1: Friday 20 January 2012
An excellent performance of discipline and concentration earned Wales their victory over Sweden. Wales defended really well as a solid unit and attacked with pace and precision. Wales took the early lead after 3' through Leah Wilkinson after a strong run from the same player down the right. This was followed by a second from Laura Sugar after 14'. Sweden pulled a goal back only for Beth Fisher for extend the lead only the stroke of half time. The second half Wales controlled the game with good composure and when Sweden pressed in the last two minutes Wales broke twice in the 39' minute to reach their 5-1 result, with further goals from Sugar and Wilkinson. An excellent start from the Welsh girls.
Another excellent performance from the Welsh girls against a physical Italian side desperate for a result after their earlier loss in the day. Twice Italy went ahead in the game only to be pinned back after 15' with a goal from Laura Sugar and then just before halftime Tina Evans made it 2-2 with a coverted penalrty corner. The second half saw Wales take a two goal lead after 26' following another penalty corner from Evans and a well taken goal from Wilkinson. Italy then pulled one back before Fisher again gained a two goal cushion for Wales in the 30'. Italy threw everything at Wales in the last 10 minutes, and although conceding one to make it 5-4 Wales kept their composure to take the victory and head the table on level points with Belgium.
| 09:00 | Portugal | 2 | Croatia | 4 |
| 10:10 | Belgium | 1 | Italy | 0 |
| 11:20 | Wales | 5 | Sweden | 1 |
| 12:30 | Turkey | 4 | Croatia | 4 |
| 15:30 | Belgium | 6 | Portugal | 0 |
| 16:40 | Wales | 5 | Italy | 4 |
| 17:50 | Turkey | 3 | Sweden | 4 |
DAY 2: Saturday 21 January 2012
Wales silenced a passionate home crowd in the early Saturday morning game, after an early alarm call and breakfast at 6.30! Wales were to be tested, but they soon put any fears they may have had about the early start behind them and gave Portugal their own alarm call with two goals in the first 6' through a short corner strike from Tina Evans and a well worked move from Bridget Radice. Wales continued to dominate the game and gave Portugal few opportunities before taking a 3-0 half time lead through another penalty corner strike from Evans. The second half saw more of the same from the Welsh girls, continuing to dominate their hosts and keep the crowd quiet. Three goals in 5 minutes after the 27' saw Portugal well beaten with goals from Leah Wilkinson, Beth Fisher and Radice's second. Although Portugal did manage a consolation goal, Wales then went and extended their lead to six again in the 36' with another Wilkinson goal. A strong Welsh performance under very testing circumstances.
Wales dropped their first points of the tournament in a 4-4 bruising draw with a very physical Croatian team, also unbeaten but having previously drawn one game. Wales took an early 2 goal lead through two very well taken goals from Leah Wilkinson and this was followed up by another from Kat Budd to give the Welsh girls a deserved 3 goal lead at half time. This was a good first half against a very resolute and defensive Croatian team and a number of chances were created. The second half was a different story, Croatia played with more discipline and sat back waiting from an odd slip up from Wales, and they won and converted three penalty corners during this time to draw level at 3-3. Wales then found another gear and again led by one after 35' following a well worked penalty corner which Leah Wilkinson scored. Croatia then pressed hard for the equaliser and following a strange decision to give a yellow card to Tina Evans, managed the equaliser. Wales stood their ground very well in the last three minutes only to concede a disputed penalty corner in overtime, but kept it out to maintain their unbeaten record and second place in the table behind an unbeaten Belgium.
| 09:00 | Wales | 7 | Portugal | 1 |
| 10:10 | Belgium | 3 | Sweden | 0 |
| 11:20 | Italy | 5 | Turkey | 3 |
| 12:30 | Croatia | 4 | Wales | 4 |
| 15:30 | Sweden | 1 | Portugal | 4 |
| 16:40 | Turkey | 0 | Belgium | 6 |
| 17:50 | Italy | 6 | Croatia | 2 |
DAY 3: Sunday 21 January 2012
Medal winning squad with Management (25-1-12)
Yet another early start for the Welsh girls with a 6.15am breakfast before setting off to the hall at 6.55am, but again they seemed to cope with the situation and started the game against Turkey knowing victory would secure promotion to the next division. The first half proved a little nervy, but things were calmed after 5' with a Leah Wilkinson open play strike. This was pinned back by the Turkish team one minute later. Wales then went ahead again after 8' with a Bridget Radice goal only to be pegged back again after 15,. Wales eased the pressure just before half time with another Wilkinson strike, which Turkey never really recovered from. Second half was all Wales with 5 goals in a ten minute spell leaving the girls ahead 8-3 after 30, with goals from Wilkinson 2, Tina Evans, Beth Fisher and a second from Radice. Turkey pulled one back in the 35', but by now the Welsh girls were in total control and regained their six goal advantage with a third for Radice after 38;. Wales saw the final two minutes out and the victory gave promotion, The game with Belgium this afternoon will now decide which of these two teams take gold and silver.
Wales began their gold medal match strongly, pressing the previously unbeaten Belgians until Laura Sugar opened the scoring for Wales after 3', the first goal Belgium had conceded all tournament. Wales continued to press which unsettled their opponents, but were unable to find that second goal. Belgium drew level half way through the half against the run of play and the half ended 1-1. Wales again started the second half quickly with a goal after 22' with another penalty corner strike from Tina Evans. Belgium again drew level shortly after and with play from end to end the match was very exciting. It was the Belgians who got the next goal and after an unfortunate decision went further ahead with 10' to go. Wales continued to press and there were further chances at each end. Wales resorted to playing with an extra outfield player instead of the goalkeeper in order to get some goals back in the last 3', unfortunately they were unable to break down the resolute Belgian defence and had to settle for a very creditable second place and promotion to the next division in two years.
Lining up for gold medal match with Belgium (25-1-12)
| 08:30 | Turkey | 3 | Wales | 9 |
| 09:40 | Croatia | 0 | Belgium | 4 |
| 10:50 | Italy | 0 | Sweden | 4 |
| 12:00 | Turkey | 4 | Portugal | 1 |
| 13:10 | Belgium | 4 | Wales | 2 |
| 14:20 | Sweden | 3 | Croatia | 1 |
| 15:30 | Italy | 4 | Portugal | 2 |
Final positions
1st: Belgium (promoted to Championships II in 2014)
2nd: Wales (promoted to Championships II in 2014)
3rd: Italy
4th: Sweden
5th: Croatia
6th: Turkey
7th: Portugal
3nd February 2012
Indoor EuroHockey Nations Championship interviews
Following the successes in Portugal, Hockey Wales took time out to interview a member of each of the squads. The EuroNations Division III was hosted in Gondomar, Portugal this year and saw our Senior Men and Women go and do battle with France, Finland, Hungary, Belgium, Turkey, Croatia and Portugal (Men) and Croatia, Sweden, Italy Turkey, Portugal and Belgium (Women) in three days of frantic action! Both teams suffered mixed fortunes over the course of the competition which saw our Women take Silver while the men finish a respectable 5th out of eight.
We spoke with Tina Evans, the Welsh Women's Indoor Captain and Liam Brignull, voted Players' Player of the Tournament for the Men's side on their experiences throughout the competition and the rest of the season ahead!
Interview with Tina Evans
HW: Hello Tina, big congratulations on taking silver in the EuroNations! How did you feel the competition went?
TE: I think we all really enjoyed it! It was really fun because we were playing a really attacking, high paced style of Indoor Hockey that a lot of other teams couldn't handle. The Eastern European teams especially played a much more rigid defensive system and we adopted our own style which they really struggled to contain.
HW: How did the team get on our in Portugal?
TE: It was an interesting one as there were a lot of introductions at the airport! I think there were six different players from the team we took up to Edinburgh but we had a great training session when we first got there.
HW: Was it difficult working with such a new squad?
TE: Sian Thomas and I both play for Birmingham and we tried to encourage the style of Indoor we learnt there so that was a really big help! But in terms of effort everyone gave 110% so we couldn't have asked for more!
HW: So there was a big mix of seasoned players and new guys did that mix help?
TE: Definitely! It was good to have some new guys in there as well as having those of us who have been playing for a while too. The new guys were great and came and asked us loads of questions when they needed to.
HW: Did you mind being seen as the 'veteran' players?
TE: Not at all, it was great for us to help out where we could and impart some of our knowledge onto them as well!
HW: Phil Gooderham, Senior Women's Indoor Head Coach, told us that you guys didn't select a player of the tournaments?
TE: No, we felt that everyone really tired there hardest and this really was a team effort. It was disappointing that Leah Wilkinson wasn't recognised for being the tournaments highest goal scorer (12 goals), but really everyone played there part!
HW: What was it like playing out in Portugal?
TE: Well, we played in a different venue to the Men and it didn't have much in the way of seating or atmosphere, but the floor was good, nice and quick and that really suited us!
HW: So with the prospect of Division II ahead how is the team feeling about the next Indoor Championships?
TE: Well there is a lot of potential in the squad at the moment; we are all excited about playing in the tier above and the challenges that brings! With really good established indoor teams like Russia there we are excited about the test! I think we may struggle with the amount of indoors we play in total, but in terms of technical ability we can compete with anyone else!
HW: How about your outdoor commitments?
TE: Well we are still waiting for the appointment of the Senior Women's Head Coach, but yes very excited!
HW: Is there anything else you wanted to say to the guys reading this today?
TE: Well the indoor game is growing really rapidly, and the more people involved on a club level the better. It's a great game that teaches you good technical skills! We'd also like to say a big thank you to Phil Gooderham and Belinda Gooderham for all the help and support they gave us in the competition!
