Grange for promotion

Scottish club`s chances of returning to the elite
EuroLeague could be greatly helped if Grange can achieve promotion
from the European Club Champions Challenge in Zagreb and start
earning crucial ranking points.   

Grange`s pool competition has been truncated by the late
withdrawal of Portuguese champions AD Lousada, leaving the
Edinburgh side to face only HC 1972  Rakovnik from Czech
Republic and Gibraltar champions Eagles in the group
stages.    Rob Barr, Grange`s captain
reflected:  “We know little about our opposition but the
withdrawal of the Portuguese side puts even more emphasis on
winning the other two pool matches to get ourselves into the
final.”

The Scots are top seeds and are favourites to make the final
play-offs against the top sides from the other group, likely to be
either another Czech side Slavia Prague or HAHK Mladost from
Croatia. 

With this tournament so late in the season, it has been
difficult for the Edinburgh side to keep up some sort of
momentum.   “We have trained well over the last few
weeks, but it has been difficult to maintain our match fitness
given that the league finished nearly two months ago.”  
There was a mixed end to their league campaign, Barr`s charges rose
to the occasion to beat champions Glynhill Kelburne 3-1 at
Bellahouston, only to lose unexpectedly 3-2 to AMN Hillhead in the
ultimate game.   Grange have had to be satisfied with a
couple of outings against the Scotland under 21 squad. 

But Barr has faith is his team`s capabilities.   “Most
of the squad have good experience of tournament hockey having
played at international level and in the European Trophy in Cardiff
two years ago when you have games every day over the weekend. 
Our squad is fit so we will look to raise the intensity of the game
and use our attacking threats from all over the pitch to cause the
opposition problems.” 

It looks likely that Grange will be short of a few regulars,
Englishman Andrew Brogdon, who joined Grange at the start of this
season, is struggling with a groin injury sustained in the final
league encounter with champions Glynhill Kelburne a month ago, it
has failed to clear up and the Manchester-born player is unlikely
to travel.   George Lambert is also on the doubtful list
with a hamstring problem, leaving Grange short of strength in
depth.  Perhaps the biggest loss is goalkeeper Colin
Johnstone, he is unable to travel to Zagreb due to work
commitments, and is replaced by second choice David Woodcock.

Grange travel to Zagreb on Wednesday but will not play their
opening game against Czech side Rakovnik until Saturday.

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