Scotland became the first side to reach final of the women’s U-21 second tier competitions, putting them one win away from a Junior World Cup spot while five other sides are still in the hunt to make Saturday’s decisive games.
Feature image: Ian Foster/@IFSportsImages
II-A Rakovnik
Italy and Wales moved into a joint-share of the lead at the women’s EuroHockey U21 Championship II-A in Rakovnik as they both picked up narrow wins on day two of the event.
For the Italians, they found Lithuania a tough opponent to break down but eventually recorded a 2-0 victory. Francisca Eschoyez goal in the first quarter from a corner was augmented by one from Micaela Frias early in the second half.
They did end up with 11 penalty corners with Lithuania not able to register on that front but it is enough to see them sit in top spot after two games.
Wales, meanwhile, went the full distance against Czechia before scoring the game’s only goal with the very last touch of the game.
It came from a penalty stroke which Amy Cradden held her nerve to net, breaking Czech hearts in the process.
In a very tight group, Wales will face Lithuania knowing a draw will be enough for them to reach Saturday’s final. Then Italy have the same scenario against Czechia; if the Czechs win, however, they will advance.
Pool A
| Rank | Team | Played | Wins | Draws | Losses | Goal Difference | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Italy | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 4 |
| 2 | Wales | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 4 |
| 3 | Czechia | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 3 |
| 4 | Lithuania | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | -4 | 0 |
II-B Konya
A 2-1 victory for Scotland combined with Ukraine’s 5-2 win over Türkiye saw the Scots pin down the first final berth on offer in Konya with a game to spare.
Scotland started well, winning lots of the ball but they were caught out when Poland broke forward and Hanna Wochna opened the scoring by rounding the keeper and slotting home after the ball was blasted into the Scottish circle.
The response was quick, though, coming within one minute, a penalty corner strike by Ava Wadsworth which was deflected into the net by Mhairi Low to make it 1-1.
And the game was won via flowing move that saw Katie Brett; Cat Nelli; and Ava Findlay combine was finished off by Findlay with a powerful low smash for 2-1.
There would be no further goals, and now Scotland look forward to facing the hosts, Turkey, to complete their pool before taking their place in the final.
Ukraine, meanwhile, got their first win of the competition which sees them face a straight playoff with Poland for the second final spot on Friday.
Their 5-2 success against Türkiye was built around a three-goal burst in the first quarter with Veronika Movchan, Daria Shertsiuk and Vladyslava Berhilevych scored in quick succession.
Sila Erkoç did get the Turks back into the game in the second quarter but Veronika Korobkina’s fourth for Ukraine sealed the deal.
There was a late exchange of goals between Gülcan Paksoy and Kateryna Oliinyk to close out the result.
For Türkiye, the result confirms they will play in the third/fourth place playoff while Ukraine need a draw or better against Poland for the second spot and a place in Saturday’s final.
