Round 1.1 of the EuroHockey League in Eindhoven ended today with a surprise result, as KHC Dragons from Belgium defeated the holders, UHC Hamburg. Hamburg had gone into the second half two behind but managed to draw level with goals from Marco Miltkau and Max Neuman either side of the third quarter break. But to everyone's surprise, less than 60 seconds after Neuman's ball hit the net, Dragons were in front again after a penalty corner scored by Loick Luypaert. A couple of minutes later the lead was back up to two when Florent Van Aubel scored from open play. Final score 4-2 to the Belgians, but both sides qualify for Round Two at Easter.
Pembroke Wanderers had the misfortune to play the Dutch of HGC in their second match. Although the Irish side attempted a comeback in the second half, with goals from Brandon Panther and Craig Wilson, HGC won the match 4-2. Both sides qualify for Round Two.
Oranje Zwart, fresh from their 10-1 win yesterday, looked as if they were going for a repeat, going into the half time break at 5-0. Their opponents, Dinamo Kazan, managed to get back into the game after then break by scoring two goals, but so too did Oranje Zwart to finish the match 2-7 to the Dutch. Both sides go through to Round Two.
The final match of Round 1.1 was between two of the top sides in the league, Rot-Weiss Koln and Club de Campo. In a closely fought match, which saw more than one goal disallowed after a video appeal, the sides matched each other goal for goal, with Rot Wiess briefly going behind in the 58th minute and then almost immediately equalising. Final score 2-2 and both clubs qualify for the next round.
Round 1.2 is due to be played in Terrassa, Spain, in two weeks time. TalkHockeyRadio will be there to follow the fortunes of the three English clubs taking part, Beeston, East Grinstead and Reading, with photographs and news from the pitchside.
For more information about the EuroHockey League, go to our main web site at www.talkhockeyradio.co.uk.
