The opening day of the 2013-14 Euro Hockey League season may not have been blessed with great weather, but the goals came thick and fast as some of Europe’s finest teams began their quest to win the world’s most prestigious club competition.
Netherlands star Mink van der Weerden was arguably the day’s most outstanding performer, scoring a superb hat-trick to help Oranje Zwart defeat Scottish champions Kelburne. English duo Surbiton and Beeston were also victorious on Friday, while Russian champions Dinamo Kazan claimed a deserved draw against Spain’s Club de Campo de Madrid.
Here is a quick summary of the action.
Pool E: Surbiton impress in EHL 2013-14 opener
England’s Surbiton produced a fine performance in the opening match of the EHL 2013-14 season, cruising to a 5-0 victory over Austrian champions SV Arminen. Goals from Matt Daly, Alan Forsyth (2), Michael Watt and James Tindall did the damage as Surbiton eventually overpowered their Austrian opponents in their Pool E encounter. Arminen will return to action on Saturday when they face Real Club de Polo de Barcelona, with Surbiton enjoying a day off before Sunday’s match against Polo.
Pool D: Ward double helps Beeston battle past Cardiff
Two goals from Sam Ward ensured that England’s Beeston HC began their Euro Hockey League campaign with a 3-1 triumph against Cardiff & Met of Wales. The English champions were given a real test by the team from the Welsh capital, but came through unscathed to claim the victory. Cardiff will be in action on Saturday against Germany’s Harvestehuder THC, a team that Beeston will have to face on Sunday.
Pool G: Mink bags hat-trick as OZ crush Kelburne
Netherlands ace Mink van der Weerden scored a hat-trick of penalty corners as Oranje Zwart cruised to a comfortable 6-0 win against Scottish champions Glynhill Kelburne HC.The Olympic Silver medallist from the London 2012 Olympic Games found the net in the 22nd, 51st and 58th minutes, with Jelle Galema, Gabriel Dabanch and Thomas Briels also on target for the Dutch club. The margin of victory was no more than OZ deserved, being the superior side throughout the contest. Oranje Zwart will be back in EHL action on Saturday when they face WKS Grunwald Poznan of Poland. Kelburne play Grunwald on Sunday.
Pool F: Vila own goal gives Kazan draw with Campo
The final match of the day may not have been the highest scoring, but it was certainly the most competitive as Russian champions Dinamo Kazan and Club de Campo of Spain drew 1-1. A late own goal from Campo’s Argentinean international Matias Vila ensured that Kazan came away with a share of the spoils as the famous Barcelona sunshine made a late but most welcome appearance. Vila’s “OG” was the second of the game, with an error from Kazan keeper Marat Gafarov resulting in the opening goal of the match. Club de Campo will be in action on Saturday against 2012-13 EHL Silver medallists KHC Dragons of Belgium. Dragons will be Kazan’s opponents on Sunday.
Full details of the day’s play from Barcelona can be found at 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
