The ladies of SCHC failed to capture the European indoor title on Sunday. In Siauliai, Lithuania, the team from Bilthoven lost in the final after taking shoot-outs against MSC Sumchanka (2-2) from Ukraine.
While the SCHC players walked off the field disappointed, goalkeeper Yuliia Dubovychenko of Sumchanko was overwhelmed by her teammates. She had just before turned away Elzemiek Zandee’s shoot-out that had allowed the Ukrainian team to win the European indoor title for club teams for the first time in history.
For the second time in three days SCHC and MSC Sumchanka faced each other. On Friday morning at the Indoor Gymnasium, coach Frank Balvers’ team won 3-1 against the Ukrainian team. Also in the final, SCHC seemed to be on their way to victory. After a first quarter in which Sumchanka had a few small chances, SCHC took the lead in the twelfth minute.
De Geus opens the score
Anna de Geus was the end of the attack she set up herself. The team captain steamed forward on the left. She passed to Julie Smorenburg who then played to Maud van den Heuvel on the right. Van den Heuvel made a few passes and passed the ball ‘blind’. Meanwhile, De Geus had run up to the far post and after checking the ball, tapped it into the goal in a controlled manner.
Anna de Geus is congratulated after she put SCHC ahead in the final of the EuroHockey Indoor Club Cup against MSC Sumchanka. Photo: Worldsportpics/Frank Uijlenbroek
Three minutes later, Van den Heuvel scored herself. With her back to goal, she threatened to turn to the right only to quickly turn the other way and put the 2-0 on the board.
After halftime, SCHC had opportunities to increase the lead. In doing so, the team was unlucky that Zandee’s corner hit the post via a defensive stick. Smorenburg also slid the ball wide of the goal.
Sumchanka comes back
Just after Smorenburg again slid the ball past the Ukrainian goal, Sumchanka came back into the game. Karyna Leonova turned away with Zandee at her back and scored from close range. It was already her tenth goal in five games. With that, Leonova crowned herself top scorer of the tournament.
Maud van den Heuvel puts SCHC up 2-0 in the final of the EuroHockey Indoor Club Cup against MSC Sumchanka. Photo: Worldsportpics/Frank Uijlenbroek
Two minutes later it was equal after a beautifully played attack over several drives. Kateryna Popova was the goal scorer.
SCHC still had chances to decide the game in their favor, but two penalty corners went unused. The first seemed to result in a penalty ball, but after consultation between the referees the penalty ball was converted into a penalty corner. Mariette Boot’s ensuing effort was cleared off the line.
That meant shoot-outs had to bring the decision. Van den Heuvel and Zandee missed for SCHC and because Anastasiia Shyshyna and Leonova cashed in their attempts, a big party erupted on the Ukrainian side. As a result, Laren remains, for now, the last Dutch winner of the European Cup Zaal. The Gooi team was Europe’s best in this discipline in 2019.
Joy at MSC Sumchanka after winning the EuroHockey Indoor Club Cup at the expense of SCHC. Photo: Worldsportpics/Frank Uijlenbroek
by Hockey.nl
