At the end of the Easter break, Eliza W played for East Grinstead women in the Euro Trophy in Milan and returned home with a bronze medal. The top competition in Europe contains the top 8 in the EHL and the Euro Trophy contains the next 8 teams.
First up in the pool was Sumchanka from Ukraine, they are notoriously good and this game was a close one. Eliza almost opened the scoring in the first quarter with a back foot hit from the top of the D that just went over the crossbar. East Grinstead got the opener soon after but Sumchanka levelled in the second quarter to leave it 1-1 at half time. Two goals in two minutes put East Grinstead in the lead and although Sumchanka pulled one back, East Grinstead scored two more in the last ten minutes to run out 5-2 winners.
Next were KHC Dragons from Belgium, a very strong outfit with an Argentinian superstar in the middle for them. East Grinstead had a great first half and went in one goal to the good but two mistakes in the third quarter were punished. Whilst pushing hard for an equalizer and piling on the pressure, East Grinstead were caught on the break at the end so losing 1-3 to the side who went on to beat the powerful German side in the final.
The final pool game against HC Olten from Switzerland was a comfortable victory after East Grinstead scored three goals in the first half. Unfortunately for Eliza she got hit on the hand resulting in a trip to the hospital and a couple of hairline fractures. The Bronze medal match was against the home side from Italy. It was a rather feisty affair and they took the lead before East Grinstead scored a couple in quick succession and the home side equalized. The game turned around half time as East Grinstead scored during the ‘powerplays’. Another two good goals in the final quarter sealed the match 6-2 and the bronze medal.
A great experience for Eliza and an excellent outcome.
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