Gold for Switzerland in an exciting final
Switzerland and Ukraine, who finished the preliminary games with equal points get to meet again in the final. Switzerland took a advantage of the game very soon when Loris Grandchamp hit a short corner in the second minute. Ukraine pressed on, but the team’s attacks did not yield results.
In the second quarter, Ukraine continued to press hard and the Swiss goalkeeper Timo Bütler showed great stretches and brilliant saves. Ukraine was able to get a goal as a result of good passing when the ball bounced over the Swiss goalkeeper and the situation was 1-1 at halftime.
In the third quarter, Ukraine did everything they could to score, but Switzerland held firm and the near misses did not produce the desired result. Both teams also collected cards. The situation changed when Switzerland received a penalty stroke, which Jens Flückt struck low into the goal.
Both teams continued to work hard. Thanks to great passes and accurate finishing, Switzerland get a 3-1 goal in the middle of the third quarter.
At the end of the game Ukraine, who were in the chasing positions, did their best to equalize the game, but Switzerland defended in depth. Switzerland also had their moments so the game went evenly from end to end. Ukraine was able to try for a goal in the last minute of the game from a short corner and succeeded, so the match ended 3-2 for Switzerland’s victory. Switzerland’s goalkeeper Timo Bütler was awarded the best goalkeeper of the tournament.
Lithuania took a bronze medal
Finland faced Lithuania in the bronze match of the EuropHockey Junior Championships in Finland. Finland knew they had a tough opponent, but the young Finnish team was ready to fight for the bronze medal.
Lithuania showed their skills right at the start of a game. The first goal came from a penalty stroke given as a follow-up to a short corner. Armas Ridlauskas fired the shot into the goal with style. Lithuania was able to surprise Finland’s defense in the situation that arose right after and the score was already 2-0. At the end of the quarter, Finland got some good attacks and the first attempt for a t goal, which was however blocked by the Lithuanian goalkeeper.
In the second quarter, Finland got into the game and from time to time we could already see a good game developing. Two yellow cards didn’t slow down the game and Finland also managed to get a few short corners, but they didn’t produce a result. There were several opportunities to score and finally Finland go their first goal scored by Santeri Määttänen. Lithuania managed to get another penalty shot, which Rafal Stenkevic, the best player of the tournament hit to goal. The situation was 3-1 before a half time.
Finland started the third period well, but as Lithuania picked up the pace, the fine sacrifices of the Finnish players and good goalkeeping by Jobanvir Khaira were no longer enough and the score was soon 5-1. The short corner at the end of the quarter turned Lithuania in the lead 6-1.
In the last quarter, we saw great saves and a good fighting spirit from Finland. However, Lithuania went ahead and soon the situation was 8-1. Finland still managed to strike back and Otto Taipale completed Finland’s fine passing to goal and the was 8-2. The last five minutes of the game were dark for Finland as Lithuania managed to score four more goals. The match ended 12-2 and Lithuania took the bronze medal deservedly.
All the games are available to watch on demand on www.eurohockeytv.org
Full details of the games are available here
Photo: Swiss Hockey
