Scotland men win bronze in Lousada

Scotland came back from two goals down to win the bronze medal at Men’s EuroHockey Championship II in Lousada with a 5-2 victory over Italy.

Italy began the game with good possession, but Scotland looked comfortable in defence.

As the Blue Sticks grew into the game a sucker punch would knock the wind out of them. An Italian counterattack down the left exposed the Scottish defence and the ball was fired into bottom right corner by Geronimo Clement for 1-0.

Things went from bad to worse before the end of the first quarter when Davide Arosio rattled home a penalty corner rebound for 2-0.

Scotland had work to do in the second quarter and they rolled their sleeves up quickly. Jamie Golden sent an unstoppable drag flick into the top right corner to make it 2-1.

Then, in an almost carbon copy of the first, Struan Walker sent a drag flick into the top right corner to equalise. 2-2.

Momentum was with the Scots going into the second half and they made it count with a third goal. Walker’s penalty corner rebound thundered into the left corner of the net to make it 3-2 to Scotland.

The Blue Sticks continued to pile on the pressure with Italy pegged back in their own final third, but as the fourth quarter progressed the Italians began to bite back with Scotland surviving some near misses.

Italy took their goalkeeper off for the final five minutes to give them an additional outfield player, and on a Scotland counter some desperate defending led to a stroke for Scotland.

Walker stepped up to strike into the bottom right corner for his hat trick and to seal the bronze medal for Scotland. 4-2.

A counter attack led to another stroke for Scotland and with a second left on the clock saw Walker make it 5-2 to put a cherry on top of the victory.

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