The final day of the girls EuroHockey U18 Championship in Zagreb is shaping up to be a cracker with four sides in contention for the one promotion spot on offer.
The Czech Republic are in the lead but can be overhauled by Lithuania in the first game on Saturday; should they draw, either Switzerland or Italy can then overtake them.
The girls Championship in Krefeld was on a rest day with Saturday seeing the semi-finals take place along with the first phase of classification fixtures.
** Get your U18’s LIVESTREAM PASS HERE: https://www.eurohockeytv.org/en-int/page/event-pass-u18-championships
Girls
EuroHockey U18 Championship II-A (Zagreb, Croatia)
The girls EuroHockey U18 Championship II-A will come down to the final day with four teams mathematically in with a chance of the title.
That is because Switzerland broke the Czech Republic’s winning streak to leave the competition wide open.
It was the Swiss side’s first win of the week as they made their move in the third quarter. Tessa Hopp and Elin Hollinger struck to give them a 2-0 lead; Linda Nová got one back but Switzerland scored once more through Maren Zimmerman to make it 3-1 with five minutes left.
It means if there is a winner between the Czechs and Lithuania in Saturday’s first game, then that nation will be crowd champion. A draw, however, can open the door for Switzerland and Italy who meet in the final match of the tournament.
The Italians were another side to win for the first time, seeing off hosts Croatia 5-2, following an excellent first half in which they built a 3-0 lead. Captain Francisca Eschoyez led the way with Sabina Chiesa and Eleonora di Paola on the mark.
Andela Litvić cut the gap but two goals in the 47th minute put Italy out of sight, into third place in the group and – like Switzerland – hoping for a draw between the Czechs and Lithuania.
EuroHockey U18 Championship II-A (Swansea, Wales)
** Round-up to follow in due course
** All games in Swansea are being streamed live via www.eurohockeytv.org
