Strong wins for IFK SumDPU, WAC and Racing Club de France saw them begin their EuroHockey Club Challenge I in Vienna on the front foot.
** Feature image by: FOTObyHOFER/Christian Hofer
** To see the tables, results and fixtures from the event, click here
Game 1 HF Lorenzoni Bra![]()
v HC Olten 0-0
In the opening match EuroHockey Club Challenge I Pool A in Vienna, HF Lorenzoni Bra and HC Olten played out a 0-0 draw.
Both teams displayed strong defensive strategies, with neither side able to break the deadlock. Despite multiple attempts and a few penalty corners, both goalkeepers, Alina Fadieieva for Lorenzoni and Hanna Studer for Olten, kept clean sheets.
Game 2 IFK SumDPU v Howardian Ladies HC 5-2
IFK SumDPU won their first ever Euro outdoor fixture with a lively win against Howardian Ladies HC, winning 5-2.
The match, saw SumDPU overcome an early setback to claim victory. Howardian took the lead in the 5th minute via Olivia Moore. SumDPU responded with the next five consecutive goals, three by Sofiia Basanets. Howardian managed a consolation goal in the 53rd minute by Paris Nicholas, but it was too late to stage a comeback.
Game 3 WAC![]()
v HAHK Mladost 2-0
In the first Pool B encounter, the hosts WAC secured a solid 2-0 victory over HAHK Mladost.
After a goalless first half, WAC broke the deadlock in the 32nd minute with a field goal by the experienced Stefanie Podpera. They doubled their lead in the 55th minute when star forward Isabella Klausbruckner converted a penalty stroke.
Game 4 Racing Club de France![]()
v Lisbon Casuals HC 6-1
In the final game of the day Racing Club de France secured an emphatic 6-1 victory over Lisbon Casuals HC.
The match saw Lisbon Casuals take an early lead with a penalty stroke by Marie Jeltsch in the 6th minute but that was as good as it got for the Portuguese outfit. Racing responded strongly, equalising in the 27th minute with a field goal by Emilie Samaté.
They quickly took control, adding two more goals before half-time through Anaëlle Lavaud-Galleron and a penalty corner by Marie-Alice Pelletier-Rimbert. The second half saw the French outfit extend their lead with goals from Marine Bras, Emilie Samaté, and Charlotte Grunbaum, securing a dominant win.
