Scotland score 11 in two wins on the opening day of Women’s Indoor EuroHockey Championship II

Scotland got off to a sensational start to Women’s Indoor EuroHockey Championship II in Sveti Ivan Zelina with two wins from two against opposition ranked higher in the tournament.

A 5-3 victory over hosts Croatia was followed up by a 6-3 win over Lithuania to see the Scots end the day on maximum points.

Tomorrow they face Poland and Wales as they seek more points in their charge for promotion to the elite division of European hockey.

 

Scotland 5-3 Croatia

It was a winning start to Women’s Indoor EuroHockey Championship II in Sveti Ivan Zelina for Scotland as they defeated hosts Croatia 5-3. Goals from Emily Dark; Jen Eadie; Becky Ward; Jess Ross and Sarah Jamieson gave the Tartan Hearts the three points in a tricky encounter.

Scotland dominated the early stages and pressed Croatia back from the first whistle, but were met be a stubborn defence.

The early pressure was rewarded however when Emily Dark slammed home the opening goal from a penalty corner to make it 1-0. The low strike evaded the goalkeeper and defenders to give the Scots a deserved lead.

Scotland continued to attack and had a claim for a stroke denied as they pressed for more goals.

Into the second quarter and again Scotland dominated with Dark and Jess Ross in particular looking strong and composed.

The hosts began to edge their way into the contest as the game progressed and forced Carmin Dow to pull off an excellent save at her top left corner to deny Croatia a penalty corner equaliser.

Soon after, Croatia levelled the scores when their third penalty corner of the match hit the net from Una Litvic.

Almost immediately, Jen Eadie restored Scotland’s lead when she tapped home from close range to make it 2-1 after a nice attack down the right.

In the second half Becky Ward scored to make it 3-1 with a lovely deflection at the post from Emily Dark striking at a penalty corner.

Croatia sparked a fightback and quickly pulled one back with another penalty corner to make it 3-2. Ivona Makar struck it low and hard past the advancing goalkeeper.

Then a penalty stroke to Croatia towards the end of the third quarter gave them another equaliser, the finish was dispatched well by Litvic for 3-3.

The match became a battle in the fourth and it was Scotland who landed the first blow when Jess Ross flicked the ball into the top corner to make it 4-3.

With a minute left to play Sarah Jamieson made it safe when she converted to make it 5-3 with a clinical finish on the turn.

Scotland’s Assistant Coach Vikki Bunce said, “Girls got off to a great start and showed good tenacity. They stuck to the game plan and kept cool heads when Croatia got back level.

“It was a good team performance, particularly the set pieces, and we’re delighted to get off to a winning start against a sticky team.”

 

Scotland 6-3 Lithuania

After their earlier victory Scotland came out hungry for more and clocked up an excellent 6-3 victory over Lithuania in game two. Emily Dark was on top form scoring four goals, with strikes from Sarah Jamieson and Rachael Mack for a great win.

Scotland took charge of the contest from the start and enjoyed the bulk of possession.

Despite Scotland’s dominance Lithuania took the lead through a close range finish by Kotryna Kartanovic. The Lithuanians latched onto a mistake, broke into the D and Kartanovic found the finish for 1-0.

Before long the Scots were back on level-pegging. Having earned their first corner of the match Emily Dark slammed it against the backboard to equalise. 1-1.

A swift counter midway through the second quarter saw Sarah Jamieson tear up the court into a good position but her shot was saved and kept the Scot at bay.

The second goal for Scotland came before half time and it was Rachael Mack who gave Scotland the lead with a great low finish from the edge of the D – 2-1.

Early in the second half Lithuania equalised and when ball was squeezed home by Donata Grigiene past the advanced keeper, with the goal gaping.

Almost immediately Scotland went back in front through a lovely low finish by Sarah Jamieson to make it 3-2.

From then on Scotland were on fire. Dark struck again with a thunderous low penalty corner into the bottom right corner to make it 4-2.

Lithuania struck right back to make it 4-3 through Kuliene Dovile, but the Scots were not for stopping.

There was soon a hat-trick for Dark, and what a finish it was from a penalty corner to make it 5-3 to Scotland low against the backboard.

Dark wasn’t content with just the three goals, she wanted a fourth, and from another penalty corner she stepped up and rifled the ball into the bottom right corner for 6-3.

Scotland women’s Indoor Head Coach Iain Strachan said, “It was a very good day, the players were terrific – I’m delighted with the performances. It was two tough games against systems of play we don’t see often back home, but they stuck to the game plans and delivered very well.

“It was great to have a big mix of goal scorers. Rachael Mack scored on her birthday, which was a nice touch, and Emily Dark scored four in the second game. As a team we were excellent.

“Tomorrow is another day, we’re purely focussed on game one tomorrow. It’s a massive game against Poland and if we can come through that we’ll be in a good place.”

 

Have you seen our new Playground to Podium Player Pathways yet? Find out more and download our resources HERE

Recent posts:

Back to all news
Back to top