Promotion in doubt in Lignano

EUROPEAN INDOOR NATIONS CHAMPIONSHIPS 11 – LIGNANO
(ITALY)  –  FRIDAY 13TH – SUNDAY 15TH  JANUARY
2012

SCOTLAND 0 ITALY 0
SCOTLAND 3 UKRAINE 4

Scotland`s chances of making the promotion pool of the European
Indoor Nations Championships 11 in Lignano are hanging on a very
shaky peg, Billy McPherson`s charges drew 0-0 with Italy in the
opening fixture and then lost 4-2 to Ukraine in the second match of
the day.  The scenario now is that the Scots must beat Sweden
in today`s final pool encounter, hope that the result of Italy`s
game with Ukraine falls favourably, leaving goal difference to be
the deciding factor.

The Scots opened brightly against Ukraine and went ahead in five
minutes through an open play goal from Glynhill Kelburne striker
Gareth Hall.  The Eastern Europeans retaliated, within two
minutes they were back on level terms through a well-taken penalty
corner, and then took a 2-1 lead just before the interval.

Six minutes into the second half it was 2-2, the build-up came
from Andrew Thornton and Chris Wilson, the ball was passed on to
Gavin Byers and his cross was slammed home by Ross McPherson. 
Ukraine`s lethal set piece then came into play, two fierce drag
flicks flew past Andrew Ross into the roof of the net to leave the
Scots trailing 4-2 as the minutes ticked away. 

The Scotland coach then took a gamble, keeper Ross was taken off
and replaced by Thornton as an additional outfield player.  In
dramatic final few minutes, Allan Law had a penalty corner effort
saved by the Ukraine goalkeeper, then at second set piece Law
switched to McPherson to score his second of the game. 
Despite desperate last minute pressure by the Scots, Ukraine held
out to win 4-3.

A goalless draw is almost unique in the annals of international
indoor hockey, traditionally a high scoring sport, but that is
exactly what Scotland and Italy served up in the opening
encounter.   At one end the Scots created almost no
clear-cut chances while at the other Grove Menzieshill keeper
Andrew Ross, on his European debut, produced a series of
outstanding saves to keep a clean sheet throughout.

The first half was more like a game of chess than indoor hockey
with the Scots barely troubling the Italian goalkeeper.  The
pattern of the match after the interval was almost carbon copy of
the first, although the Scots had a couple of early penalty corners
which came to nothing and half chances fell to Gareth Hall and Gary
Cameron from open play.   Scotland had most of the
possession but the Italians were dangerous in the break and the
deadlock remained due to the efforts of Ross between the posts.

Fortunately the other game in Scotland`s pool also ended in a
draw, but in contrast Sweden and Ukraine shared six goals
apiece.   Poland appear to the frontrunners in the other
group with back to back wins over Slovakia and Denmark, the latter
will now compete with Belarus for the other promotion pool
place.

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