Scotland win U18 Boys’ silver after great final against Russia

Scotland U18 Boys’ won the silver medal at EuroHockey Championship II after a battling performance against Russia, which saw the Russians run out 6-3 winners. The Scots had been 3-0 down but dragged themselves back into the contest before Russia saw the game out in the final quarter.

Scotland U18 Boys’ had already secured promotion to the top level of U18 boys’ hockey, which means both Scotland U18 boys’ and girls’ have gained promotion this summer.

The match was all even in the first quarter with both sides producing some excellent hockey. Scotland edged the possession but the contest was tight.

Russia took the lead early in the second quarter when Igor Stepanenko scored from a penalty corner. Russia quickly went 2-0 up in Cardiff when Alexey Sobolevskiy scored from open play just two minutes later.

In what was a big quarter for the Russians Sobolevskiy scored his second and Russia’s third to take a 3-0 lead into half time.

Scotland pulled one back after the restart when Andrew McConnell struck from a penalty corner with a rocket flick into the back of the net.

Russia struck back right away however to make it 4-1 through Artur Kazanchian.

Scotland wouldn’t give up without a fight and Alex Riddell scored to pull it back to 4-2 in Cardiff. The goal came from the second phase of a penalty corner and Riddell sent a rebound into the net.

Riddell’s goal set up a big final quarter as Scotland set about fighting back in the final.

Jamie Golden then struck a third for Scotland to pull it back to 4-3. The goal came from a McConnell reverse pass to the near post where Golden touched it past the keeper and in.

It looked like game on for Scotland until Russia scored a killer fifth goal in the final quarter. Scotland had a penalty corner and couldn’t find a finish, which allowed Russia to burst forward and win a penalty corner of their own. Denis Starienko stepped up with the strike and scored to knock the stuffing out of the Scots.

Russia made it 6-3 with a minute to play as Scotland threw everything into attack, Vladislav Kazantsev rounded off the scoring to claim gold for Russia.

In the end the silver medal went to Scotland U18 boys’ and with promotion already secured it completed a fantastic tournament.

Scotland U18 Boys’ Head Coach Andrew Brogdon said, “It was a great game of hockey, absolutely worthy of any final. I couldn’t have asked for more from the players, they left everything out on the pitch and gave it absolutely everything they had. The only difference was Russia was a little more clinical than we were, and on another day it could have easily have been us who won the match.

“I’m super proud of the team. The future is bright for these boys and I’m absolutely certain there’s some future Scotland and GB internationalists in this squad. Scottish Hockey is moving in the right direction and I’m delighted with how these boys have delivered this week.”

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