Full video of LRHCs' First Round game vs Remscheid
LRHC v IGR Remsheid
We all had limited training together before the competition, but the team really gelled quite well and started well with a win against Remsheid in the first game of the tournament.
We went 2-0 up in the first 8 minutes with goals from Harry and Mackenzie but they scored two goals just before half time making 2-2 at the break.
Although they went 3-2 up we then pressured them forcing errors and went on to score 3 more goals, with Lily, Charlie and Ryan getting on the scoresheet. With some fine saves from Quinn, we held out for a 5-3 win to LRHC.
Full video of LRHCs' Second Round game vs Viareggio
LRHC v ASD Viareggio
A good Italian team meant we would have to play well to get a result. Although we battled hard and competed well, they were a very good team and we went into half time 4 goals down. 4-0.
The second half didn’t start too well with two more goals from the Italians in the opening 2 minutes,
We had a timeout and made substitutions with Jack at 13yrs old coming on for his first taste of the competition against much older players. Maxwell also made his debut in this game and did well getting a shot off against this very competent team. Well done both of you.
We did managed to get a couple more counter attacks which resulted in Lily-Rose scoring followed by a well taken first time shot from Jack which was fantastic. Final score 6-2
Full video of LRHCs' Third Round game vs Oliveirense
LRHC v Oliveirense
Next, we played the team who won the competition in the end, consisting of some professional players. They scored within 30 seconds of the whistle which caught us by surprise. Our team was going to struggle with tiredness as this game was on the same day as the Viareggio game, so was going to be tough.
A slap shot low and on the floor from Harry, found its way into the bottom corner of the Oliveirense goal which now took them by surprise and we then had some hope.
Unfortunately for us this team were just another level and our goalkeeper Quinn worked so hard and made save after save, but their finishing at times was just clinical. We managed to claw 1 goal back, but the final score was around 15-2. A great experience for the team to play against some of the best players in Europe and hope they learnt something from this fantastic team.
The 1st phase was now complete, and we finished 3rd in our group, which now meant we played St Merignac. If we win this game, we would then playoff for 9,10th place which would be a massive achievement.
Full video of LRHCs' Play-Off game vs SA Merignac
LRHC game starts at 2hrs 23mins
LRHC v SA Merignac.
We hadn’t seen much of this team so didn’t know what to expect and with the games being 20mins and no timouts meant it was going to be an interesting game to coach.
We didn’t have a great start with Merignac getting a goal 5 mins from the start and again 1 min later, leading 2-0 with 14 mins left.
We played some nice hockey and had a few chances but it wasn’t quite happening for us. With some tired legs out there, we made some changes and brought Bradley and Ryan on with fresh legs to see what they could bring to this game.
The game remained 2-0 until 2.33 mins when Ryan scored with a great near post slap shot.
We then pressed them full rink winning the ball in defence, when Charlie slapped the ball from our own area which was picked up by Ryan who played it across their goal for Bradley to tuck a first time shot away. 2-2 with 1.56 minutes left to go.
Both teams now had to pressure each other to win the ball. It was end to end for the last minute with both teams creating chances, and Quin and his defence working hard to keep the French team out. There were 10 seconds to go when Harry put in a slap shot in the air which found Ryans stick who deflected it into the goal. 3-2 win to LRHC and what a comeback!
We now play Follonica for 9/10th place
Full video of LRHCs' Play-Off game vs Follonica
LRHC game starts at 4hrs 18mins
LRHC v Follonica.
We now play another very good Italian side for 9th or 10th place. We competed well for most of the game and created goalscoring opportunities, but the Italians proved too strong for us in the end with the final score ending a respectable 4-0 loss for us.
We finished the competition in 10th place out of 16 teams. This is a great achievement for an English team with only 1 other team achieving this position in the UK.
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