Relegation looms in Lignano

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.

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