The race for gold and promotion heated up in Paredes and Budapest with a number of sides hotly contesting the top of their respective tables.
Denmark have assured their passage through to the final of men’s EuroHockey Championship II-A in Paredes thanks to Tobias Grand’s last minute winner over Ireland.
Both sides had 100% records going into the game with two wins to their name and they played out a back-and-forth battle. Ross Canning gave Ireland the lead but two Jesper Jonasson goals swapped the advantage before the end of the third minute.
It continued to sway both ways with Denmark leading 3-1; Ireland replied to lead 4-3 and 5-4 before the Danes grabbed the last two goals.
Earlier, Denmark defeated Cyprus 8-1 with Jonasson scoring hat trick in that one.
There were also first wins for both Norway and Cyprus, meaning each nation is off the mark on the points table. Norway won a 4-3 thriller against Lithuania in the first game of the day, Abishekh Singh’s penalty stroke in the 38th minute settling the matter.
Cyprus then defeated Norway 2-1 in the evening session, coming from a goal down via Samuel Lyne and Orestis Savvides.
With Denmark already in the final, Ireland need a draw against Cyprus to make sure they go through as well for a chance at promotion.
In Budapest and Championship II-B, Türkiye and Italy now look on course to be the sides battling for the title.
That is after Italy made a statement 5-1 win over previously unbeaten Slovakia in the second last game of the day. They were in control by half-time with Simone Pagliara helping them create a 3-1 lead which was extended to the final total in Q3. Earlier, they got their third win in a 10-1 victory over Hungary.
Türkiye have yet to be troubled with a 14-0 win over Serbia and a 15-2 success against Greece adding to their total of four wins, scoring 42 times.
It means the first game on Sunday morning at 8.30am (CET) between the Italians and Türkiye is all important in determining the destination of the title.
Slovakia also started their day with a 13-0 success against Bulgaria to sit in third place in the group with three wins to their name.
Hungary closed out the evening with their first win, a resounding 11-0 against Greece with nine different goalscorers. Serbia did likewise when they won 7-2 versus Bulgaria with Renato Kiš getting four of their goals.
Picture: David Karadi
** Every match from Budapest will be streamed live on www.eurohockeytv.org
** For full results, scorers and match data from Paredes, click here
** For full results, scorers and match data from Budapest, click here
