22.07.2015, Brussels; Ireland and xxx have won their semi-finals to make the Final of the Reece EuroHockey Championships II in Prague with wins over Belarus and
Ukraine – Austria 2-1 (1-0)
In the first half it was mainly the team of Ukraine that held possession and set the pace of the match. The Austrians were mainly trying to break out of their defensive quarter but without much luck. Despide that the Ukrainians managed to reach the net only once through a short corner in the first quarter. In the following minutes the Austrians leveled the game and were more and more dangerous in the opponents half of the pitch. The Austrian team was rewarded with a beautiful goal scored from a clever deflection. Both teams had even possession of the ball until the Ukraine had more luck towards the end and with a goal 11 minutes before full time securing their place in the Championship II in 2017 with a 2:1 win.
France – Wales 0-0 (0-0)
The match started in a mild pace from both sides. France managed to achieve a short corner but did not succeed. Gradually Wales picked up more pace and started to dictate the game. Few times they weren’t able to score from really good chances. Second half continued in the same scenario and finished with a tie 0:0.
Ireland – Belarus 4-0 (3-0)
In the first semi-final, a reschedule to allow for the Czech team’s semi-final to be televised, Ireland the favorites here in Prague played Belarus. Ireland remained the more patient of the teams, waiting to set up from the back, but a fiesty opposition spoiled the Irish game plan. However in the 8th minute a well worked corner was converted by Ireland. A nice attack and well executed reverse shot on target in the 22nd second minute from Megan Fraser put Ireland ahead 2-0. Ireland scored vis a PC from Shirley McCay in the 28th minute, so the score was 3-0 at half time. Belarus had the better start in the second half but failed to convert two decent chances and a defensive error from Belarus in the 64th minute put the game way beyond Belarus, the game finished 4-0 to Ireland. Ireland have now earned themselves a place in the final here in Prague and a promotion to the top flight of the EuroHockey Championships in 2017.
Azerbaijan 1 – 2 (0 – 0) Czech Republic
A slow start to the second semi final as both teams took time getting used to time to get really into the game. Not too many chances in the first half and the 0-0 scoreline reflected this. Anna KOLAROVA opened the scoring from play for Czech as the ball popped up beautifully for her and a sweet strike beat the Azeri keeper 0 – 1. A minute later Farida MAMMADOVA equalled the scoring with a deflected penalty corner. Both teams then pressed to go ahead, and both had chances. In the 61st minute Veronika DECSYOVA got on the end of the strike and hit the back of the net to put the hosts ahead much to the delight of the partisan crowd. A very intense last 9 minutes ensued, as both teams again had chances, as the Azeri attack just missed! Czech had 3 fantastic chances as they carved through the Azeri defence, but on each occasion the final passage of play let them down. They did defend well, didn’t concede any further corners and as the seconds ticked by the dream of being promoted to the EuroHockey Championships in Amsterdam in 2017 became a reality. They held their lead and won the game and now face Ireland in the Final on Saturday.
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