Women’s EuroHockey U21 Championship II-A (Salon-de-Provence, France) – day one round-up

France shone on day one of the women’s EuroHockey U21 Championship II-A in Salon-de-Provence while Italy also eked out a victory.

For the French, they scored in each quarter against Ukraine to record a 6-0 win with captain Mathilde Duffrene leading the way with a double.

Heloise Mekki got the hosts off to the perfect start with a third minute goal; Hortense Guillon’s close-range touch extended the lead to two following a driving run by Mazarine Proux and it was 3-0 at half-time via Margaux Grunbaum.

Duffrene’s pair came from a stroke and a drag-flick in the second half with Léopoldine Coppin also getting in on the act.

In the day’s first game, Elena Mucelli got the only goal as Italy beat Lithuania 1-0, the winner coming 13 minutes from the end.

Wednesday’s second series of games sees Ukraine take on Lithuania at 16.00 (CEST) and Italy face France at 18.15 in the battle for top spot in the group at this early stage.

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