In their final against Den Bosch in the Women's European Club Championships in Berlin today, Canterbury were caught napping and went down to a Vera Vorstenbosch goal with only forty five seconds on the clock. Canterbury managed to regain their composure and there were times when they matched or even exceeded their opponents for skill and determination. But the clock proved a cruel master twice more in this match. Having kept their opponents at bay for thirty-four minutes they conceeded a second goal almost on the halt-time whistle - Mijntje Donners the scorer. A third goal scored in open play from Janneke Shopman sealed Canterbury's fate, but that cruel clock was to strike again. A penalty corner awarded in the last few seconds resulted in Donners stepping up and striking an unstoppable shot. Final score 4-0 to Den Bosch. The player that impressed me during both this match, and the whole tournament was Minke Booij, who was like a rock in defence. Her distribution, often to the ever-dangerous Donners, caused Canterbury several nervous moments. Her contribition was acknowledged by being voted the Most Valuable Player of the Tournament by the media contingient. Donners was the top scorer during the tournament.
Earlier in the day Berliner won the gold medal against Ata Sport on penalty strokes.
A full report on the tournament will be on the June TalkHockeyRadio podcast, available from 7 June 2006, together with some 'live' commentary on the match. Photographs of some of the matches taken by Paul Robins will be posted on our News page, and copies of these and other photographs from Berlin will be available from his website in due course. Check our Links page for details of Paul.
