SCOTLAND WOMEN SECURE SEMI FINAL PLACE AT EURO II
By Colin Pike
Scotland Women sealed their place in the last four of the EuroHockey Championships II on home turf in Glasgow on Tuesday evening with a 3-2 win over the Czech Republic.
Scotland were relegated with the Czech Republic from the top tier two years ago and are a step nearer to an immediate return after a game in which they were realistically always in control but the Czech Republic were also a threat.
All the goals came in the second half, Amy Costello giving Scotland the lead from a penalty corner, the ball rebounding off the top of the backboard high into the roof of the net two minutes into the third quarter.
Seven minutes later, captain Kareena Cuthbert finished off a well manoeuvred penalty corner routine with a diving shot into the top right corner to double Scotland’s lead.
In the 49th minute, the Czech Republic put Scotland under pressure, Adela Lehovcova’s defiant finish from a penalty corner reducing Scotland’s lead to 2-1.
However a minute later, Scotland led 3-1, Louise Campbell’s deflection from the ground into the roof of the net settling any Scottish nerves.
Those nerves were stimulated once more for the last seven minutes as the Czech Republic worked their way through the Scottish defence for Veronika Decsyova to score from in front of the left post to make the score 3-2.
Surbiton’s Robyn Collins came on as a fourth minute substitute along with former Surbiton player Kate Holmes.
Once again former Surbiton goalkeeper Amy Gibson shared duties with Nicola Cochrane.
Scotland will finish top of Pool B unless they lose their final pool game with Austria on Wednesday (push back 7 pm). Austria beat the Ukraine 2-1 but qualification for the last four will be at risk if they lose to Scotland and the Czech Republic beat the Ukraine in the match immediately before the Scotland v Austria clash.
The Scottish Hockey match report can be read here.
If you missed the match, you can see it in full at the BBC Sport website.
Scotland’s match against Austria can be seen at the BBC Sport website from 7 pm on Wednesday 7 August.
More information about the EuroHockey Championships II can be found at the FIH TMS website.