IKF ECup day 2
Megasports Warschau – Korfball Club BEOGRAD (referee Ondrej Fridrich)
Two teams that lost with a big difference on the first day proved to have well solved their failures during unsuccessful opening games. Beograd with more athletic skills managed to take the lead after 20 minutes in the first half although it seemed that Megasports Warschau was tactically the better team. The score difference was merely determined by the scoring opportunities which were more successful for the team from Serbia. The Polish however, very aware of the danger, managed to reduce the score during the final stage of the first half (7 – 8)!
In the second half Warschau proved to be the better team. Tactical dominance and more success in scoring resulted in the first lead although Beograd refused to decline (15 – 15 with 8 minutes to go) Surprisingly the older and therefore more experienced Polish players showed no sign of lack of physical condition and it turned out to be Andrzej Czyzak who scored the winning goal (18 – 17)
Szentendrei Korfball Klub – FJEP Bonson (referee: Paul Jeanes)
The French team played well in the beginning of the game and the scoreboard showed two equal teams (5 – 5). Maybe the Hungarians suffered from the disillusion from their unfortunate performance the day before when they could not manage to clinch the frame after a lead with 8 goals at half time.
When French passing became more difficult due to pressure and Hungarian rebound lead to multiple shots, slowly but surely Szentendre moved away from his opponent (half time: 12 – 8)
Bad organization in the French attack and no plan to solve the Hungarian rebound supremacy was the reason that there hardy a struggle for the victory. When Szentendre started thinking about their final ranking they somewhat slowed down the tempo. This created some opportunities for the opponents to end the game with a reasonable result (18 – 14). No disappointment for the French captain who stated that Bonson played a better tournament than last year.
KZ/Hiltex – State University –HSS (referee: Sandra Anus)
Playing a Dutch team needs power and courage. This is exactly what the Russian team showed after their uncomfortable win the day before. They scored the first goal and managed to stay in the game for the first 15 minutes. Spectators surprisingly saw female Russian players taking care of rebound and assist position. Talking about a déjà vu!
Anyway the system worked and KZ played their best level to create a small margin (12 – 8) When scoring became difficult for the University due to a missed penalty and outrebounded shots, they changed the tactics which did not result in solutions against a well oiled Dutch team. Half time 17 – 8
It may be that during the second half the Russians suffered from the celebration of the victory from the day before. KZ did not have to play well to end with a 43 – 14 win.
This may not keep us from remembering all the good korfball we saw at first.
Trojans KC – KCC Sokol Ceske Budejovice (referee: Tamás Elekes)
A furious start of the Czechs resulted in an early advantage and a time out was needed to rephrase the English tactical plan (4 – 6 after 15’) Rough play resulted in many infringements and players preferred to complain to the referee rather than to use their skills. Bad passing from both teams emerged much frustration. It seemed that Trojans had the better period just before half time with an unpredictable winner as a result (8 – 9)
A reborn English team succeeded in matching the score when the Czechs remain silent in the attack zone. Shortly after they even took their first lead. Unexpectedly however Ceske gained confidence from a few English mistakes to level the score (12 – 12).
Excitement when with 5’ left everything still remains possible for a place from one to four in the final ranking (14 – 15). After a thrilling end Ceske wins the game (15 – 16)
Núcleo Corfebol Benfica – Club Esportiu Vilanova i La Geltru (referee: Miguel Wensma)
Specialists expected the most exciting game to be the last of the day. Both teams started very concentrated but the overacting resulted in a couple of penalties for both. The battle of the Iberian Peninsula was as ever very physical with a high degree of emotion. Difficult to say, even for experienced korfball assessors, to what degree this game could develop. (10 – 10)
Spectators that went home early will regret what turned out to be the most spectacular game of the day. Quick play, strong determination, emotion on the benches and a good referee, ingredients for korfball at his best!
With 8 ‘ to play on the time clock Benfica had the lead (22 – 20) but no way that Vilanova was going to give up! When Benfica shooters proved to be the most succesful and on the other hand Vilanova had trouble worrying the Portugese defence the game ended in a win for Benfica. (26 – 22) What a thril, what a spectacle
