Day 1 of Euro Hockey League Round 1.2 saw expected wins for Germany's Mannheimer as well as England pairing Beeston and Reading at Atletic Terrrassa Hockey Club in Spain. However, the performance of the day came from Scotland's Kelburne HC, who claimed a fully deserved draw against the mighty Real Club de Polo de Barcelona.
Mannheimer battle past Glenanne in Round 1.2 opener
Germany's Mannheimer HC won the first game of the tournament thanks to a 2-1 victory over Glenanne of Ireland. The result puts them top of Pool G, giving them a fantastic chance of qualifying for KO16.
The German outfit did not have it all their own way, having to fight back from a 1-0 deficit before goals from Stepan Bernatek and former Australia international Michael McCann ensured that Mannheimer got their first ever Euro Hockey League campaign off to a winning start.
ÔÇ£I don't think that we were as prepared as we should have been, mentallyÔÇØ, said Olympic Gold medalist McCann. ÔÇ£We have a very young team, and for a lot of our guys it was the first time they were they were playing in a competition at this level outside of the German league. To play against an Irish team that were very physical, very well organized and have played before in the EHL was a learning experience for us. I think we will certainly be better on Sunday (against WKS Grunwald Poznan of Poland).ÔÇØ
Jones firecracker gives Beeston victory over Montrouge
A stunning fourth quarter strike from player coach Martin Jones gave Beeston a deserved 3-2 victory over CA Montouge of France in the second match of the day here in Terrassa.
The Bees were the dominant force in the first two periods of the Pool C contest, establishing a two goal cushion thanks to penalty corner efforts from Adam Dixon and Andrew Monte, but a breathtaking strike from Olivier Sanchez gave Montrouge a lifeline in the third quarter. However, England and Great Britain international Jones re-established the two goal advantage in the fourth quarter when he slammed a reverse stick shot into the roof of the net from the top of the circle, which proved to be enough despite a late penalty corner goal from Montrouge's Martin Mayer.
The win puts Beeston on top of Pool C, earning them a maximum five points, with Montrouge earning what could be a crucial bonus point due to the narrow margin of defeat. Montrouge will now need to defeat host club and Pool favourites Atletic Terrassa if they are to qualify for KO16.
It was a really good first half performance, said Beeston goalkeeper George Pinner. We came out and did what we needed to do  scoring two goals from two penalty corners was a big start. Unfortunately we hit the self destruct button in the second half, but I think we got it together near the end of the game. It is a really good win for us, and hopefully there will be more of the same against Atletic Terrassa on Sunday.
Mantell Brothers shine as Reading thrash Stroitel Brest
Great Britain Olympians Richard and Simon Mantell both got their names on the score-sheet as England's Reading HC proved themselves to be too strong for SC Stroitel Brest with a 7-2 win.
Stroitel - who made history today by being the first ever team from Belarus to play in the Euro Hockey League - found life tough against a slick, fast moving Reading team that hit five goals in the first half before taking their foot off the gas in a second half which saw both teams net two goals apiece.
The win gives Reading an excellent chance of reaching Easter's KO16 tournament, putting them top temporarily top of Pool A. Stroitel's chances of progressing now rest on their match with 2009 Euro Hockey League champions HC Bloemendaal, with the Belarusians needing nothing less than a big victory.
Dabanch double fails to sink Nelson's Kelburne
Scottish champions Kelburne HC rose to the occasion of the Euro Hockey League in the final game of the day, claiming a fully deserved 2-2 draw against mighty Real Club de Polo de Barcelona.
RC Polo - who reached the Semi Finals during last season's EHL - took the lead on two occasions thanks to strikes from Gabriel Dabanch, but equalizing goals from Alan Forsyth and team captain Chris Nelson ensured that the teams each collected two points from the contest.
The result means that both RC Polo and Kelburne are tied at the top of Pool D, with England's East Grinstead beginning their campaign against Kelburne on Saturday. A win for Kelburne in that match would be enough to see them through to KO16.
More information about the tournament can be found at www.ehlhockey.tv
