Watsonians make EuroHockey Trophy Final in Vienna

WATSONIANS  5   PLZEN-LITICE (CZECHIA) 4

After two straight wins in their pool competition so far Watsonians knew they only had to draw with Czech side Plzen-Litice today to make Monday`s final and finish above their fourth placed pre-tournament seeding. However, they went one better with a 5-4 victory over the Czechs and now face Welsh side Cardiff & Met in the final. That also means they didn`t have to wait around to see the result of the closing match between Arminen and Poznan – neither side can catch Watsonians at the top of the pool.

The opening quarter started quietly but the Edinburgh side finally got their noses in front at their first penalty corner with Danny Cain finding the net.

But then the wheels seemed to come off, firstly Watsonians had two penalty corners which came and went.  That was immediately followed by Plzen`s first set pieces in which Eduard Gerlicky sunk both inside two minutes to give the Czechs a 2-1 lead. Just as the first half closed Watsonians recovered their composure, they were awarded a penalty and Charlie Jack duly converted for two each at the break.

Parity didn`t last long in the second half, within three minutes Jakub Homolka put the Czechs 3-2 ahead. But Watsonians stormed back, Tommy Orr levelled at 3-3 inside two minutes and then Dan Coultas put Watsonians ahead again at a penalty corner – in this topsy-turvy affair.

And that is how it stood until seven minutes from the end when another Dan Coultas penalty corner goal gave Watsonians that two goal cushion to relieve the pressure.

Yet Watsonians contrived to put themselves under pressure again, firstly with less than two minutes left Homolka pulled the score back to 5-4.   And in the final minute Watsonians had to survive two penalty corner chances for the Czechs and then a penalty stroke which fortunately was missed.    So relief all round as the Edinburgh side finally emerged 5-4 winners and a place in the final.

Watsonians` captain Luke Campbell assessed the occasion.  “Yes we made it hard for ourselves today. Plzen were better than the points table suggests for sure and we were delighted with the character shown to come through that test.

“We`ll go into tomorrow as underdogs but will give it everything we have.”

 

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