FRUSTRATION FOR WATSONIANS AT THE EUROS IN FRANCE

Coach Keith Smith knew that the result of the earlier game between AHTC Wien (Austria) and host side Lambersart could decide Watsonians fate even before his side had stepped on to the court for their final game.

And that is how it panned out…frustration all round.

The worst result possible as Lambersart won 2-1, leaving both sides on eleven points.   And with Watsonians on five only, even a win over Lithuanian champions Ginstrekteakad in the final game, Watsonians would still be a point short.     This stems from the allocation of a bonus point if a side only loses a game by only one or two goals – all three lost one game in the promotion pool but the Austrians and French picked up that bonus point and Watsonians did not when they lost 4-0 to Wien.

The French scored their winner a minute into the second half…and there was no further scoring and few chances thereafter.

This was Wien’s first whiff of defeat in the tournament.

And so no promotion for Watsonians.

And so on to the final game…and the prospect of a bronze medal finish.   That mission was accomplished with a 3-3 draw against Lithuanian side Ginstrekteakad.

 

WATSONIANS  3  GINSTREKTEAKAD (LITHUANIA)  3

Watsonians did most of the running in the first half and went ahead in five minutes with an open play strike by Milly Berndes-Cade.  Other chances came and went, including three penalty corners and chance from the spot – but all failed to deliver.

Most of the third quarter did not go too well, two further set piece chances went a begging, two players visited the sin bin and the Lithuanians scored twice through Dovile Kukliene and Karolina Raulinaityte to take a 2-1 lead.  However, it ended well with an equaliser from Ailsa Small in the final seconds

The Lithuanians regained the lead at 3-2 midway through the final quarter through Austeja Dimskyte but parity was again restored when Emily Dark converted Watsonians seventh penalty corner.

And so Watsonians secured third spot in the promotion pool.

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