Scotland Women through to Euro final as Scotland Men have to settle for 3rd place play-off

 

Strikes from the Grove Menzieshill pair of Ailsa
Wyllie and Ali Bell were sufficient to launch Scotland`s women into
the final of the European Nations Championship 11 in Poznan with a
more than comfortable 2-1 victory over Russia in yesterday`s
crucial semi-final clash.
The Scots dominated proceedings right from the
start and had several chances to take the lead in the first half,
Nikki Kidd and Sam Judge had their penalty corner shots saved by
the Russian goalkeeper while a snap shot by Holly Cram was also
brilliantly palmed away from danger, but despite Scotland`s total
control the sides came off goalless at half time.
It was the same story after the interval, although
Scots keeper Abi Walker had a brilliant save from one of Russia`s
few breakaways.  Immediately after the Scots finally gained
their reward for all their pressure, a speculative cross from Kidd
eluded the Russian defenders and found Wyllie at the far post who
simply rolled the ball over the line.  The result was
effectively sealed at Scotland`s seventh penalty corner won by
Louise Baxter, the ball was switched left to Kareena Marshall and
her strike was deflected home by Bell.
Wyllie had the ball in the net again but her strike
was disallowed as dangerous, and although the Russians scored a
late consolation, the Scots comfortably played out the remainder of
the game.  Kidd had the chance to kill off the Russians
completely at a late penalty corner, but her drag flick eluded the
target.
The Scots will play Belarus in today`s final, they
whipped France 5-0 in their semi-final, with promotion to Europe`s
top flight the prize for the winner.Strikes from the Grove
Menzieshill pair of Ailsa Wyllie and Ali Bell were sufficient to
launch Scotland`s women into the final of the European Nations
Championship 11 in Poznan with a more than comfortable 2-1 victory
over Russia in yesterday`s crucial semi-final clash.
The Scots dominated proceedings right from the
start and had several chances to take the lead in the first half,
Nikki Kidd and Sam Judge had their penalty corner shots saved by
the Russian goalkeeper while a snap shot by Holly Cram was also
brilliantly palmed away from danger, but despite Scotland`s total
control the sides came off goalless at half time.
It was the same story after the interval, although
Scots keeper Abi Walker had a brilliant save from one of Russia`s
few breakaways.  Immediately after the Scots finally gained
their reward for all their pressure, a speculative cross from Kidd
eluded the Russian defenders and found Wyllie at the far post who
simply rolled the ball over the line.  The result was
effectively sealed at Scotland`s seventh penalty corner won by
Louise Baxter, the ball was switched left to Kareena Marshall and
her strike was deflected home by Bell.
Wyllie had the ball in the net again but her strike
was disallowed as dangerous, and although the Russians scored a
late consolation, the Scots comfortably played out the remainder of
the game.  Kidd had the chance to kill off the Russians
completely at a late penalty corner, but her drag flick eluded the
target.
The Scots will play Belarus in today`s final, they
whipped France 5-0 in their semi-final, with promotion to Europe`s
top flight the prize for the winner.

Mixed fortunes for both Scotland squads in their quest
for promotion to the top flight of the European Nations
Championships in two years time, as the women cruised to a 2-1
victory over Russia in their semi-final, whilst the men went down
2-0 to Czech Republic.

Strikes from Grove Menzieshill pair Ailsa Wyllie and Ali Bell
were sufficient to launch Scotland`s women into the final of the
European Nations Championship II in Poznan with a more than
comfortable 2-1 victory over Russia in the crucial semi-final
clash.

The Scots dominated proceedings right from the start and had
several chances to take the lead in the first half. Nikki Kidd and
Sam Judge had their penalty corner shots saved by the Russian
goalkeeper while a snap shot by Holly Cram was also brilliantly
palmed away from danger, but despite Scotland`s total control the
sides came off goalless at half time.

It was the same story after the interval, although Scots keeper
Abi Walker had a brilliant save from one of Russia`s few
breakaways.  Immediately, Scotland finally gained their reward
for all their pressure, a speculative cross from Kidd eluded the
Russian defenders and found Wyllie at the far post who simply
rolled the ball over the line.

The result was effectively sealed at Scotland`s seventh penalty
corner won by Louise Baxter. The ball was switched left to Kareena
Marshall and her strike was deflected home by Bell.

Wyllie had the ball in the net again but her strike was
disallowed, and although the Russians scored a late consolation,
the Scots comfortably played out the remainder of the game.
 Kidd had the chance to kill off the Russians completely at a
late penalty corner, but her drag flick eluded the target.

The Scots will play Belarus in the final, as they comfortably
disposed of France 5-0 in their semi-final, with promotion to
Europe`s top flight the prize for the winner.

 

Meanwhile, Scotland Men missed out on promotion in Vinnitsa by
going down 2-0 to Czech Republic in an ill-tempered semi-final.

A forgettable first half ended goalless, but the Czechs scored
twice in the opening five minutes after the interval.

The Czechs shut up shop in a vigorous manner, with four players
ending up in the sin bin and they finished the match with only
eight players on the pitch.

“This was a disgraceful game of hockey, the worst I`ve seen in
my forty years involved in the sport, but their keeper had an
outstanding game,” said Eugene Connolly, Scotland`s manager.

 

 

 

 

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