Three Scotland teams battle it out in Euro Club Championships

Scottish hockey will be represented by three teams in Europe this weekend as Grove Menzieshill and Milne Craig Clydesdale Western ladies teams go head to head whilst the Scottish Cup Champions Grange men travel to Europe as well.

Play off champions Milne Craig Clydesdale Western will face fellow league rivals Grove in the same Pool this weekend in the Club Champions Challenge I, they also face teams from Belarus, Italy and Czech Republic.

Helen Walker captain of Clydesdale Western looks forward to the challenging weekend with her extremely young side. ‘it is divided squad as we are missing many of our experienced players due being on Scotland duty but it  does mean that our youngsters get a great opportunity to play some European hockey.

‘It will be tough but if we work hard we can only do our best. I believe the girls can step up and we can stay in that division and avoid relegation.’

Both sides are without their experienced Scotland players due to being on International duty but the Dundonian based side are looking forward to playing some European hockey.

Captain of Grove Menzieshill, Louise Carroll will be aiming for her team to take one game at a time to achieve the best results possible

‘We are really looking forward to the trip, it will be slightly different this year as we will be travelling without 4 of our most experienced players, Linda Clement, Leigh Fawcett, Ailsa Wyille and Ali Bell all of whom are involved in the Scotland set up.

‘This will be a big loss as experienced heads are vital when it comes to European competition. In saying that it will be an excellent opportunity for some of the up and coming young players within the club to experience the step up to European Hockey. We were in Catania last year so are expecting high temperatures and some familiar faces, as there are some of the same teams attending.

‘We know from past experience from this kind of tournament set up that it is crucial to get a good start and to get points in the first game. We will be facing fellow Scottish side Clydesdale Western, a team we know well but who are also missing key players due to having a number of players in the Scottish set up, plus a Belgium side we have played in previous European Competitions.

‘We have been training hard in the lead up to the competition and have a good balance between youth and experience and team morale is high. Our aim to perform to the best of our ability in each game and to hopefully build on each performance.’

 

Scottish Cup Winners Grange are European regulars as this will be there fifth year in six competing abroad.

Colin Clarke head coach of Grange is full of confidence after coming from behind to win the Scottish Cup against Inverleith.

‘The cup run was great preparation for us, as we got to play games week in and week out after the league had finished, also winning the cup is a great confidence boost to the lads going into the tournament.

‘We have had many mid-week matches against the U21 Scotland side to help us prepare for the games abroad.’

‘We aren’t a full team as we are missing internationalist Gary Cameron and a few of the younger lads due to school exams but we can only tell how well we will do after the first game as  we are going into the unknown as we haven’t seen the other team splay before.’

 

Women’s Club Champions Challenge I – Valverde (ITA) – 06-09 June 2014

Pool A                                                                  Pool B

HC Ritm-Azot Grodno (BLR)

Grove Menzieshill HC (SCO)                         HF Lorenzoni (ITA)

Royal Wellington THC (BEL)                        H.C.U. Catania A.S.D. (ITA)

Clydesdale Western (SCO)                            SK Slavia Praha (CZE)

 

 

Men’s Club Champions Trophy – Cagliari (ITA) – 06-09 June 2014

Pool A                                                                  Pool B

Grange HC (SCO)                                       Monkstown HC (IRL)

HC OKS-SHVSM (UKR)                                 Navax AHTC Wien (AUT)

S. G. Amsicora ASD (ITA)                            HC Bra (ITA)

Whitchurch (WAL)                                      Atasport (AZE)

 

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