It was another action-packed day at Euro Hockey League’s Round 1.1 event in Barcelona as the results of the four competition matches lead to six teams qualifying for Easter’s spectacular KO16 event.
Tobias Hauke’s Harvestehuder THC (GER) marked their EHL debut by thumping Cardiff & Met (WAL) before local boys Real Club de Polo de Barcelona (ESP) edged past SV Arminen (AUT). Oranje Zwart (NED) battled past Grunwald Poznan (POL) while Club de Campo de Madrid (ESP) produced the result of the day to defeat KHC Dragons, the 2012-13 EHL Silver medallists.
Here is a quick summary of the action.
Pool D - EHL debutants Harvestehuder hammer Cardiff & Met
Germany’s Harvestehuder marked their Euro Hockey League debut with a sparkling performance against Cardiff & Met, powering to a 9-1 triumph over their Welsh opponents.
Incredibly, nine different players made their mark on the score-sheet for the team from Hamburg, with an early own goal from Cardiff’s Sam Daymond being followed by strikes from Michael Körper, Christopher Borchard, Moritz Fuhrmann, Nicholas Spooner, Tim Linsmeier, Sebastian Feller, Paul Pongs and Johan Björkmann.
The result means that Cardiff & Met have been eliminated from this season’s Euro Hockey League, with Harvestehuder and Beeston of England being the two confirmed qualifiers from Pool D. Harvestehuder and Beeston will face each other on Sunday to determine which team will finish as pool winners.
Pool E - RC Polo overcome tough challenge from SV Arminen
Local boys Real Club de Polo de Barcelona overcame a stern challenge from Austrian champions SV Arminen to emerge as 3-1 winners of their Pool E contest.
Roger Padros scored twice in an extremely close contest, with Borja Llorens adding a third to ensure that Polo Club claimed the win and sealed their place at Easter’s KO16 event.
The result also means that England’s Surbiton – winners against Arminen on Friday – are also guaranteed a berth at KO16, although the winner of the Pool will be decided when they face RC Polo on Sunday.
Pool G – Grunwald impress despite Oranje Zwart victory
Oranje Zwart played their second game of the weekend against Pool G opponents Poland’s WKS Grunwald Poznan, and although it proved to be a solid 1-4 win for Dutch outfit it certainly wasn't their most inspirational performance of the weekend.
Goals from Thomas Briels, Gabriel Dabanch, Rob Reckers and Bob de Voogd ensured that Oranje Zwart have qualified for the prestigious EHL KO16 tournament.
Grunwald produced a mature, disciplined performance, something they will be aiming to reproduce in Sunday’s win or bust duel with Scotland’s Kelburne HC.
Pool F - Campo stun Dragons to reach KO16
Madrid's Club de Campo produced a superb display to emerge as 2-1 winners against Pool F rivals and 2012-13 EHL Silver medallists KHC Dragons in the final match of Day 2 in Barcelona.
Quique Gonzalez and Pepe Borrell were both on target for Campo, who were vastly improved in comparison to Friday's shoddy performance against Dinamo Kazan of Russia. For the second day in a row, Campo and Spain goalkeeper Xavi Trenchs was the star of the show, making countless sensational saves to help his team to victory.
The win sealed Club de Campo's place at KO16. The remaining KO16 berth from Pool F will be taken by the winner of the Dragons v Kazan match, which takes place on Sunday.
Full details of the day’s play from Barcelona can be found on www.ehlhockey.tv, the official website of the Euro Hockey League. Remember, the EHL website will be live streaming every match from the Round 1 events, so don’t forget to tune in.
Source: Euro Hockey League Media Release
