IKF Europa Shield 2013 – Day 1

The opening day of the 2013 edition of the IKF Europa Shield saw the number 1 in each pool scheduled to play the number 3 and the number 2 to play the number 4. It looked from the opening day’s results that there will not be many surprises in this year’s event unless the lower ranked countries raise their game.

In the opening matches in each pool the higher ranked team both won by a ten goal margin. In pool B Adler Rauxel (GER) – beat Obudai (HUN) 17 – 7 whilst in pool A Kolin (CZE) beat AZS Wroclaw 19 – 9. In the other matches Brno (CZE) gained a surprising large win over Cascais (POR) by a 20 – 12 score line.

The last match of the day proved to be the closest and most exciting with 19 goals scored in the first half of the 2 x 20 minutes match, with CK Vallparadis (CAT) leading Nottingham (ENG) by five with a 12 -7 score line at half time. This was mainly due to a combination of greater accuracy in shooting and better passing, Nottingham being punished on more than one occasion due to their misplaced passes. The second half slowed in intensity and number of goals scored (only 9 in total in the whole half) and saw a mini-revival by Nottingham who, although winning the half by three goals, could not close the gap and the Catalans finally won 15 – 13.

Overall an average of 28 goals per game was achieved in each 40 minute match. Matej KUBICEK (Kolin, CZE) was top male scorer of the day with five and this total was matched by the top female scorer Yvonne WISCHNIEWSKI (Adler Rauxel, GER)