Relegation looms in Lignano
14 January 2012
EUROPEAN INDOOR NATIONS CHAMPIONSHIPS 11 - LIGNANO (ITALY) - FRIDAY 13TH - SUNDAY 15TH JANUARY 2012
Scotland are in danger of dropping down to the third division of the European Indoor Nations Championships for the first time after losing 3-2 to Belarus in a crucial relegation pool match. However, there is a slim life-line, tomorrow the Scots must beat bottom side Slovakia and hope that Italy lose to Belarus in the final fixtures, and survival on goal difference could be a possibility.
Belarus took an early lead, but the Scots equalised when Gavin Byers found the net at a penalty corner after a switch from Allan Law. Willie Marshall put Scotland in front from the spot after Gareth Hall`s initial shot was illegally saved on the line by a defender. But Belarus turned the screw, they equalised before half time and stole the points with a goal three minutes from the end.
Earlier in the final pool match the Scots had to beat Sweden by at least three goals to keep their promotion hopes alive, but instead joined the relegation group by losing 4-3 in a tense contest.
Scotland`s cause was not helped when defensive frailties donated the Swedes two goals in the opening three minutes. The fight-back was soon underway, Allan Law passed the ball on to Gareth Hall and his cross was slotted home by Menzieshill striker Chris Wilson. The equaliser came from a goalmouth melee and Hall was on hand to stroke the ball over the line. When Wilson scored his second to give the Scots a 3-2 lead the dream of promotion looked a real possibility, but within a couple of minutes the Swedes draw the scores level by the interval.
The remainder of the match was a scrappy affair with the Scots creating few chances to advance their cause, and the relegation pool became a reality when Sweden took a 4-3 lead midway through the second half. The Scots were consequently consigned to a relegation dogfight with Belarus, Slovakia and Italy.
.jpg)