The men's and women's team of Germany made winning starts to the Samsung Indoor World Cup here in Vienna, Austria on Wednesday. The defending champions won their opening matches, while other favorites also took victories.
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Women Pool A - Ukraine 7 defeated Czech Republic 2
Ukraine produced an impressive second half performance to claim victory over Czech Republic. With the half time score tied at 2:2, Ukraine scored five unanswered goals, with Maryna VYNOHRADOVA adding another three goals to the two she had scored in the first half. The opening goal of the World Cup was scored by the Czech Republic through Maketa MATEJOVSKA, but Ukraine proved to be too strong for their opponents and deserved their victory.
Men Pool A ÔÇô Germany 9 defeated Trinidad & Tobago 2
In the opening game between Germany and Trinidad & Tobago, Germany monopolized the ball in the first few minutes, but it was T&T that scored the first goal after a solitary effort from their star Kwan BROWNE who lobbed the ball over the sliding keeper from a difficult angle! Germany had trouble settling down their game and it is only in the 12th minute that they managed to tie the score.
Trinidad & Tobago held their ground well and, with the German shots not finding the target, the score was only 4-1 for Germany at half-time.
Germany didn't display the expected fluidity and efficiency (even missing a penalty stroke) and only increased the score slowly, finally gaining momentum in the last minutes to reach a final score of 9-2. A good performance to the credit of T&T, well organized around Kwan BROWNE.
Women Pool A ÔÇô Scotland 6 defeated Italy 5
Scotland's Emma ROCHLIN cleared a last minute penalty corner off the line, helping her side start the tournament in winning fashion against Italy. ROCHLIN and Catriona SEMPLE both scored penalty strokes to give Scotland a 5:3 lead with eight minutes to go, but Claudia TORRETTA pulled a goal back for Italy before Helen WALKER grabbed what turned out to be Scotland's vital goal four minutes from time. The tension was heightened with a late Valentina TORRETTA goal strike but ROCHLIN's instinctive clearance secured the points for Scotland.
Men Pool A ÔÇô Czech Republic 6 defeated Switzerland 4
With Switzerland having trouble organizing its defense, the Czech Republic got on the board early with two quick goals. The Swiss settled down and increased their pressure, capitalizing by Thierry GRANDCHAMP then Thomas GAHWILER. The game opened up with spectacular goals at both end, to reach half-time on the tied score of 3-3.
The second half started with the same scenario, the Czech quickly climbing to a 5-3 lead and the Swiss progressively working their way back into the game. Roman MARIK (CZE) was quick to pounce on a ball lost by the defense to push the score to 6-4 with two minutes to go, forcing the Swiss to replace their goalkeeper by a kicking back. The gamble didn't pay and the Czech earned a deserved win 6-4.
Men Pool A ÔÇô Australia 8 Defeated Russia 4
Australia claimed all three points in their opening clash against Russia. Despite going 1:0 down thanks to a Alexey MAMOSHKIN field goal after just two minutes, Australia looked like the team in control. Two goals from Simon BEATON and one from Jonathan STEBBINGS saw the Aussies take a 3-1 lead at half time, and continued their fine form in the second half. Three goals from Jason BLACK, one for Mark HARRIS and another for STEBBINGS was more than enough to secure victory.
Women Pool A ÔÇô Germany 12 defeated Australia 0
Germany women crushed Australia in their opening Samsung Indoor World Cup match. Captain Marion RODEWALD opened the scoring quickly and her team never looked back, cruising to a comfortable 5-0 lead at the half. Germany were even more dominant in the second half, scoring another with Natascha KELLER in particularly brilliant form. KELLER, Jennifer PLASS and Tina SCHUETZE all scored hat tricks, with Julia MUELLER scoring twice for an emphatic victory.
