Germany
Düsseldorfer HC and Harvestehuder THC landed the German indoor championship titles following a breathtaking finals day, crowning a super winter season.
Düsseldorf were strong 4-1 winners over Club an der Alster in the women’s final to retain the crown.
Sara Strauss set the ball rolling in the 18th minute with an artful flick from a corner, netting in the final for a second year running. Hanna Gablać, though, made it level from a tight angle three minutes later.
But DHC raced away in the second half with Selin Oruz’s slipping past Mali Wichmann for 2-1. Oruz then set up Annika Sprink to put daylight between the teams – two goals in as many minutes.
And the match was decided when Elisa Gräve countered to score into an empty goal.
For HTHC, it was a fifth men’s title as they won the trophy for the first time since 2015. They got the best of Hamburg-city rivals Club an der Alster 3-2.
Niklas Reuter netted from a fifth-minute corner but Alster’s Nik Kerner levelled before end of the first quarter at 1-1 and it stayed that way through the second and third quarters.
That ratcheted up the tension for a cracking final quarter. Michael Körper put HTHC back in front from close range and they were 3-1 up courtesy of Kilian Pöhling’s backhand shot; Alster pulled one back via Dieter Linnekogel but Harvestehuder THC had the title back after an eight-year wait.
Ireland
Three Rock Rovers’ men and Railway Union’s women retained the Irish titles at the Antrim Forum with final victories over Monkstown and Ards, respectively.
For Three Rock, it went right down to the wire as they eventually prevailed 8-7 with Jody Hosking scoring a last second winner from a corner. The game had been level seven times with Hosking scoring a hat trick as did Jonas Athusmann.
Railway, meanwhile, were 3-0 victors with sisters Orla and Sarah Patton both on the mark.
Three Rock Rovers and Railway Union win the National Indoor Finals at the Antrim Forum.
In the men's final, Three Rock Rovers defeated Monkstown 8-7 in the game's last play. Railway Union defeated Ards 3-0 in the women's final.
All results here: https://t.co/Ldx9D0g7Xz pic.twitter.com/EX3rD6oDO5
— Hockey Ireland (@irishhockey) February 7, 2023
France
Titles were retained by LUC Ronchin and Cambrai in France as the two northern teams shone in the Salle Gayant.
LUC Ronchin beat CA Montouge 10-4 in the men’s final with goals from Arthur Golliot (3), Vikor Lockwood (3) and Felix Caucheteux (2) making the difference.
In the women’s final, Cambrai defeated Iris Hockey Lambersart 5-1 in their decider with goals from Elisa Durachta, Axelle Wiart, Paloma Martina Alessi and Pauline Bracq.
It gives both sides the perfect springboard for their European campaigns in the coming weeks.
Portugal
Lisbon Casuals took the laurels in the Portugal women’s final with two consecutive successes over GD Viso. The final is decided over a best of three format with Lisbon winning the first game 4-3 and the next 4-2 to see them celebrate their seventh national title with Cláudia Fidalgo winning the best player award.
On the men’s side, AD Lousada were already assured of the crown with their first and second teams both qualifying for the national final. In the end, the A team won well with a 10-2 and 15-8 success leading them to the trophy, earning the club a 16th national indoor success.
Hungary
Épitók retained the Hungarian men’s title with a 5-2 final win over Soroksari.
Hannes Heßler and Zsigmond Zsóga got them up and running with two goals in the first four minutes before Viktor Ujvári cut the gap. But further efforts from Samuel Bosch and a double from Norbi Kovács – who had initially considered retiring before this season – for a 5-1 lead before Sombor Ficzere got a late consolation.
Italy
HF Lorenzoni won the women’s title in Bra as they beat an excellent Butterfly side in the final with the result of 3-2 thanks to two goals from Alessia Anania and a goal from Sara Agró.
For Lorenzoni, it is the Scudetto number 22 and their fifth consecutive indoor senior championship and 12th in the last 15 seasons. Alina Fadieieva was named best goalkeeper prior to her linking up with Ukraine at the Indoor World Cup with Butterfly’s Eleonora di Paola the player of the tournament.
On the men’s side, HC Bondeno were champions by beating Bonomi in Castello d’Agogna in the final with a 7-5 success. Hat tricks from Sozzi and Alessandro Muzzioli were the key interventions; Bonomi’s Philip Rubin was named best player, Bondeno’s Simone Calzolari the best goalkeeper and Muzzioli the top scorer.
Finland
The ABC Team from Helsinki were women’s winners while HT-85 ensured the men’s championship gold remained in Hämeenlinna following last weekend’s finals.
ABC were 7-3 winners as they scored the last four goals to claim the title ahead of Porvoo HC. They built a 3-1 lead only for Porvoo to level in the third quarter with Jenni Huntunen scoring three goals in a row before Johanna Yoshimura added the final goal in the last minute.
In the men’s gold game, the experienced team HT-85 defeated Warriors from Helinski who were contesting their first final.
Half-time ended 2-2 but Warriors tired in the second half and HT-85 ran out 6-2 victors to celebrate their first championship since 2007.
