Scotland boys beaten in Euros semi by Poland

Scotland U18 v Poland EurosPoland snatched a place in the EuroHockey U18 Youth Championship final from Scotland in a 3-2 victory over their hosts in Glasgow.

There was a huge crowd to cheer on the Scots and the national anthem was sung with more passion than heard before during this tournament.

Scotland settled into the game quickly with James Nairn and Alan Johnston largely dictating the play. Aidan McQuade had the first opportunity of the game from a penalty corner and his powerful shot needed a quality save by Lewandowski to prevent an early Scots lead.

Then a sensational diving save by Douglas Gourley from a penalty corner prevented a Polish opener. The goalie looked up for the occasion. Following that, Scotland’s Cameron Golden hit the side net following a fleeting move down the left.

Scotland’s defence seemed to switch off for a split second and Poland punished them for it. They took the lead through Krystian Sudol, tapping the ball into the goal at the far post.

The Scots kept their composure and continued to control the game. Then came a well-deserved goal for Scotland from a penalty corner. McQuade slammed the ball into the net on the half time hooter to make the score 1-1.

 

Half Time: Scotland 1 Poland 1

Scotland U18 v Poland Euros 1

Poland started the second half and looked fired up for the challenge. On the break, some great play by Johnston down the right created an opportunity for the Scots but Poland conceded a penalty corner. A sloppy challenge during the penalty corner saw Scotland awarded a penalty flick. McQuade stepped up and slammed the ball into the bottom left corner of the net. 2-1.

A succession of Polish penalty corners were blocked by Scotland with Andrew Webb leading the charge to block them. The great skills by Nairn in the Polish D fashioned an opportunity for a strike at goal but it was well blocked by the Polish defence.

For all of Scotland’s guile Poland were always a danger. Krystian Sudol bagged his second of the game – a carbon copy of his first, with 16 minutes remaining. It made for an exciting finale with so much at stake.

Joe Waterston tested the Polish keeper in the closing section of the game; he burst into the D and fired a rocket towards the net, only for it to be padded away by the keeper.

Superb skill on the left carved the Scottish defence open and Albert Wrzesinski scored to put Poland ahead with 5 minutes remaining.

There was some great running to open up the Poles by Waterston; Golden had the chance of a shot but the keeper was out quick to block the ball.

There was then an injury to Callum McKenzie resulting in a long delay in play. When play resumed there was only one minutes left on the clock, and the Poles held on to claim the victory.

 

Full Time: Scotland 2 Poland 3

Scotland U18 v Poland Euros 2

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