At the end of three tough days of hockey, TSV Mannheim was crowned Champions of Europe.
They needed to dig very deep when they found themselves 2-0 down at half time to a very determined HC Victorya Smolevichi. However Laura Keibel found the net in the 27th minute with Fanny Rinne converting a corner in the 29th minute which brought the teams to level score heading into the final quarter of the game. Once again Laura scored from open play in the 33rd minute and it was then a matter of holding their nerves until the final whistle before celebrating victory.
Last weekend, neighbouring club Mannheimer HC were crowned the men's EuroHockey Champions in Lucerne, completing a remarkable double success for the city.
Final Ranking:
1. TSV Mannheim (GER)
2. HC Victorya Smolevichi (BLR)
3. SV Kampong (NED)
4. Gintra Streke Uni HC (LTU)
5. CD Terrassa (ESP)
6. MSC Sumchanka (UKR)
7. RW Wettingen (SUI) (relegated to Trophy in 2012)
8. HF Lorenzoni (ITA) (relegated to Trophy in 2012)
Trophy News: At the Trophy in Abbeville, SV Arminen, was already promoted in advance of Sunday's games, but both Dundee and Leicester needed points to join them in the EuroHockey Champions Cup in 2012. They drew 1-1, both ending with six points. Dundee took the second slot thanks to its better goal difference.
Final Ranking:
1. SV Arminen (AUT) promoted to 2012 Champions Cup
2. Dundee Wanderers (SCO) promoted to 2012 Champions Cup
3. Leicester LHC (ENG)
4. Abbeville (FRA)
5. TJ Slavia Hradec Kralove (CZE)
6. Slagelse (DEN)
7. Metrostroy St.Petersburg (RUS) relegated to 2012 Challenge I
8. ARA La Gantoise (BEL) relegated to 2012 Challenge I
Challenge News: At the Challenge in Bratislava, the teams were very well matched over the course of the whole tournament, with very few lopsided scores recorded. Railway and Zrinjevac topped their original pools and Railway pipped Zrinjevac to top spot in the promotion pool by carrying a point from their game against Raca and finishing on 11points.
Final Ranking:
1. Railway Union HC (IRL) (promoted to Trophy in 2012)
2. HC Zrinjevac (CRO) (promoted to Trophy in 2012)
3. KPH Raca (SVK)
4. Nizip Halk Egitim SC (TUR)
5. Howardians (WAL)
6. Valhalla (SWE)
7. HK Bask (SRB) (relegated to Challenge II in 2012)
8. CF Os Belenenses (POR) (relegated to Challenge II in 2012
Source: EuroHockey
