Edinburgh University embark on another European venture this weekend, they are in Turkey for the EuroHockey Club Trophy 11 tournament with promotion in mind.
Coach Sam Judge said: “This is our sixth time in Europe, gaining promotion on four occasions and we will be hoping to do the same this time.”
To do so the Edinburgh students will have to come top of a pool competition involving Swansea on Friday, followed by Czech side Rakovnik the following day and finally Ireland`s UCD on Sunday. That would leave the Scots in Monday`s final against the side that topped the other pool and promotion.
It is perhaps not the best time of year for the students as relayed by Sam: “I do not have a full squad due to injuries and unavailability due to exams and work commitments. But we still have a strong squad and it`s a great opportunity for the girls.”
Edinburgh University have had a good season, finishing runners-up to Premiership champions Watsonians. But it will also have been frustrating, especially missing out on European qualification for next season after going down 2-0 to Clydesdale Western in the play-off.
But Sam was right to emphasise the strength in depth of her squad but also that they are capable of scoring plenty of goals with several players pitching in – in the 16 Premiership games the students piled in a total of 86 goals – the trick now is to transfer that proliferation to the European scene.
