U14 Girls Qualify for EHL Semi-Finals
By Colin Pike
Surbiton's Under-14 Girls have qualified for the semi-finals of the Euro Hockey League by winning both of their Pool B games and will play Club Campo de Madrid at 1115 CET (1015 BST) on Sunday.
Surbiton needed a 23rd minute goal by Tamsin Lyons to start with a narrow 1-0 win over Dutch club hdm, but had just as big a battle against Belgian club Braxgata before winning 4-3.
Surbiton were stunned with Loui De Ridder gave Braxgata a second minute lead, but bounced back to equalise in the seventh minute through Anjalie Rohan. De Ridder restored Braxgata's lead in the 14th minute from the penalty spot, but Surbiton were level at 2-2 at half time, Francesca Weal converting a penalty corner in the 20th minute.
Weal put Surbiton ahead for the first time within a minute of the start of the third quarter with Eva Franks-Martin doubling Surbiton's advantage in the 25th minute. Alix Bosmans caused a few anxious moments by scoring Braxgata's third goal with two minutes to play, but Surbiton held on for the 4-3 win.
Club Campo de Madrid finished level with HTC Uhlenhorst Mulheim and Pinoke in Pool A, but Madrid and Uhlenhorst scored more goals than Pinoke and Madrid were designated as the runners-up, in spite of finishing with an identical record to Uhlenhorst. Each team won one game and lost one game in one of the tightest pools in history.
More information about the Under-14 Girls tournament can be found here
Old Georgians Under-14 Boys also reached their semi-final, finishing second behind Royal Racing Club Bruxelles in Pool B. Old Georgians beat Nantes 4-0 and drew 0-0 with Royal Racing Club, who beat Nantes 8-0 to top the pool on goal difference with both teams on 7 points.
Old Georgians will play hdm at 1000 CET (0900 BST) on Sunday.