Pool A, Wales tops the group here in Prague after day 2 of matches for Pool A.
Match 5: Wales v Lithuania 5 – 0
A tough day for Lithuania against a well-prepared Welsh side. They did well to keep the opposition at bay in the opening minutes but two field goals in quick succession from Isabelle HOWELL and Sarah-Jayne THORBURN in the first quarter set the tone for the match.
A scoreless second quarter saw Wales continue to dominate. Lithuania fought hard but could not generate a counterattack.
Early in the second half, the Wales side finished the game off with another quick brace through Olivia HOSKINS and Xenna HUGHES. Lithuania had some chances in the third quarter but could not make it work, and in the final minutes, a second from HUGHES sealed the win.
The Lithuanian side fought hard to keep the Welsh at bay during certain periods but their opposition was always firmly in control of that game.
Lithuania will face Russia on Wednesday in the last pool game, and Wales meet Poland.
Match 6: Poland v Russia 2 – 2
Both teams started strong here in the second game of the day.
Russia kept the pressure up but midway through the second quarter Poland turned it over and the team linked up well on the break to move the ball up the field. A foul in the D led to a penalty stroke converted by captain Marlena RYBACHA. Poland had a slim lead then going into the break, but the defining moments of the first half came thanks to their keep Anna GABARA, with three outstanding saves.
Amelia KATERLA extended the Polish lead early in the third quarter through a well-struck shot from a penalty corner, and both teams traded chances but couldn’t break through.
Russia pushed hard right from the off in the final quarter and linked up well to work the ball forwards and win a penalty corner. The shot from captain SADOVAIA was brilliantly deflected into the net by Mariia OVANESOVA.
Russia kept the fight to the opposition and was rewarded with a penalty corner in the final minutes, converted by Alina KHALIMOVA. A well-earned draw from Russia, who dominated possession even after going behind but kept calm and patient and battled to the end.
Day 3 at EuroHockey Championship II Women 2021, Prague will see France v Austria and hosts Czech Republic face Belarus.
Ranking Pool A:
| Rank | Team | Played | Wins | Draws | Losses | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wales | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 7 | 6 |
| 2 | Poland | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 4 |
| 3 | Russia | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 4 | -2 | 1 |
| 4 | Lithuania | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 7 | -7 | 0 |
All games are available to rewatch on www.eurohockeytv.org
