Women’s EuroHockey Indoor Club Trophy (Lambersart, France)
AHTC Wien got the bonus point they needed to land the gold medal albeit despite losing their closing match 2-1 to French hosts Iris Hockey Lambersart.
The outcome also meant Iris earned France a promotion spot for the 2027 women’s EuroHockey Indoor Club Cup to go with their silver medal.
Captain Johanna Czech said of the victory: “We’re really happy and it means a lot to us. We get along great off the pitch and we’re glad that this also shows on the pitch in the way we play and come together as a team.
“It’s been a great experience overall, the organisation and the atmosphere made it a fantastic tournament to be part of. We’re already looking forward to the next indoor competition in the highest league.“
The Austrians found this their toughest test of the competition as they missed out on breaking the deadlock in Q2 when Laura Kern’s penalty stroke was repelled by Violette Ferront with her first act of the match.
Olympian Philippine Delemazure put Iris in front soon after as they went on the hunt for the win they needed. Another AHTC stroke, though, was converted just before half-time by Johanna Czech to make it 1-1 at half-time.
Eve Verzura restored the Iris lead just after half-time and that was how it remained through the second half with precious few chances coming in the closing stages with both sides recording a result which suited their hopes.
It gave AHTC a losing bonus point, staying ahead of Iris on goal difference after both ended with 11 points in the promotion pool.
For Austria, it means they will have a team in the top division for the first time since 2020; from a French perspective, their last appearance was in 2015.
The result left Watsonians unable to move into the top two meaning their final match against Šiauliai Ginstrektė-Akademija was primarily to confirm third place.
The Scots led through Emilia Berndes-Cade but Q3 goals from Dovilė and Karolina Raulinaitytė put the Lithuanian side 2-1 up. Ailsa Small equalised before Austėja Dimskytė restored Ginstrektė’s lead with six minutes to go.
Emily Dark responded quickly as both sides had to settle for a 3-3 draw.
Earlier, SG Amsicora got the all-important win they needed against Gaziantep Doruk to avoid the one relegation spot in this competition with a 5-1 victory.
It was close in the first half which ended scoreless but goals quickly after the big break from Maryna Vynohradova and Maryna Khilko gave the Italians an important advantage.
They then added three more goals in the last four minutes with a special one for team icon Giulia Stagno before the Turks got a late consolation. The result, however, means Türkiye’s representative in 2027 will play at Challenge I level.
Railway Union took fifth place earlier in the day with a 6-0 win over HC Olten, lifting them to 15 points. Amy Benson was the star of the show with four of the goals, the first two and the last two, in a comfortable win.
Top goalscorers: Maria-Luisa Esser (AHTC Wien) – 7 goals
Final rankings
- AHTC Wien (AUT)
- Iris Hockey Lambersart (FRA)
- Watsonians (SCO)
- Šiauliai-Akademija (LTU)
- Railway Union (IRL)
- SG Amsicora ASD (ITA)
- HC Olten (SUI)
- Gaziantep Doruk SK (TUR)
