Three Scottish clubs on Euro duty this weekend

European competition always throws up fresh challenges for Scotland`s leading club – that is what is facing Grange men along with Watsonians and Clydesdale Western women. And it is a gruelling schedule with a game on each of the four days of competition. Although withdrawals have given Grange a slight respite with no game on the first day.

But there is a common theme throughout – that is, success and advancement requires each team to finish top of their pool competition and qualify for Monday`s final game against the side finishing in the same position from the other pool. A tall order…but nonetheless achievable.

To get a flavour of the aspirations we talked to a manager, a coach and a captain.

Grange are seasoned European campaigners but face a stern task against CAM 92 from France and the experienced OKS-SHVSM Vinnitsa from Ukraine at the Trophy competition in Lisburn. Even if the Edinburgh side finish top of their three team pool there is no automatic promotion, instead they will amass crucial ranking points for Scotland`s cause for places in the elite EuroHockey League next year.

So how confident are the men from Edinburgh. Manager Martin Shepherdson related: “We are going feeling confident. Our league form in the second half of the season has been good and we feel we are beginning to reach the standards we set ourselves.

“Obviously the games at this level will be tough, and we don`t know much about the teams we will play, but we are looking forward to the challenge.   It is a shame one team has pulled out, but we have still three games still to play in three days which adds its own challenges.”

So will Grange travel to Lisburn with a full complement of troops. Martin revealed: “We are almost at full strength.  Aidan McQuade misses through injury, and a few are carrying niggles which means we will have to manage game time for them, but in pretty good health.”

Grange take on Europe on the back of a successful second half of the season, they are unbeaten in the top six competition with four wins and a draw, and they have moved up from fourth to second in the table. And they have been scoring goals through the sharpness of Robbie Croll, David Nairn, Dylan Bean and Matt Murphy. So the omens are promising.

Should Grange reach Monday`s final they are likely to come up against either host club Lisnagarvie or Welsh side Cardiff & Met – that will not be easy.

Watsonians women are also at the EuroHockey Trophy level and on the hunt for EHL ranking points.   They travel to Czechia to take on local side Rakovnik, Rotweiss Wettingen from Switzerland and French side Cambrai.

So what is the Watsonian plan of campaign?   We approached coach Keith Smith and this is what he said.    “Winning the league at the weekend was the perfect boost ahead of travelling to Czechia, and we`ll look to carry that momentum into the tournament, which in turn will set up for the cup final and play-offs when we return too.

“We finished fifth last year at this level so we`re aiming to improve on that, if we can manage that, it means we`ll be playing for a medal in our crossover.  However, our ultimate aim is just to try and earn as many ranking points as possible and give Scotland the best chance to earn an EHL spot for next season.”

Asked about the pool opposition, Keith had this to say.   “We`ve played Rakovnik`s domestic rivals, Slavia Prague, at the last two outdoor tournaments, so we have a good idea of their level.    They beat Edinburgh University last year, so we know they are dangerous.  We`ve never played Wettingen outdoor, but they were in the opposite pool last year, and we played them indoor in February, so again we have some familiarity there, and we know it`ll be a tough game.   Cambrai on the other hand are a bit of an unknown to us. but we play them last so will have been able to watch them twice.”

Keith then revealed the up-to-date squad news.   “In terms of personnel Fiona Burnet and Anna Richardson are unavailable because they`ve already played for another European club this season, while Katie Stott is injured.   Youngster4s Tabitha Peck and Emily Cowie make their European debuts, but we`ve got a pretty experienced squad overall, with the other 16 all having played in Europe previously.”

Watsonians go to Czechia on the back of a good domestic run – since the restart the champions have won all five top six matches, so the win ethic is evident.   And they have one of the country`s top strikers in the shape of Sarah Jamieson along with penalty corner expert Emily Dark – so they are well equipped to take on Europe.

However, both Grange and Watsonians are used to this level of European competition, they finished fourth and fifth respectively in last year`s Trophy tournaments.

Clydesdale Western are involved in the lower tier EuroHockey Trophy 11 competition but have the advantage of playing at home at Titwood in front of their own supporters.   In their pool are St Germain (France), Swansea (Wales) and WAC (Austria).

Asked about how achievable coming top of this pool might be, Clydesdale captain Laura Paul remarked.   “Coming top of our pool is definitely achievable, we are playing against some strong opposition but we`ve been working hard all season.   We have really gelled as a team this year and have been playing some great hockey, so we`ll definitely be aiming to finish top.”

Certainly a confident note there from the Clydesdale captain.

On playing the tournament at Titwood, this is what Laura had to say.   “Having home advantage will be like having an extra player on the pitch.   Clydesdale haven`t hosted the Euros since 2000 so it`s an exciting time for the club and it will be amazing to have that support on the pitch.

“Our full squad was available to select from so we`re feeling confident and looking forward to getting started.”

The Clydesdale squad will certainly have to throw off the disappointment of losing our on the Premiership title but in general Laura Paul`s charges have had a very successful season and are well equipped to take on Europe successfully.

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