IKF EShield 2014

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The IKF Europa Shield 2014, like almost every previous editions, is one of the most exciting European tournaments of the year. Due to the absence of Dutch and Belgian clubs, other European nations have the opportunity to compete at an equal level. Even the Hungarian team that ended on the last place gave many opponents a hard time. Undoubtedly , teams from nations with strong competitions, had a clear advantage. This was shown by the teams from the organizing country, or should we say region. However it took a golden goal for the former champion, Vallparadis, to qualify for the final, leaving the German opponent to struggle for bronze.

The Hungarians forced their opponents into a golden goal. They much appreciated the chance they got to play good matches far more interesting than within their own competition. Kingfisher (ENG) ended 7th, Brno (CZE) 6th, Adler Rauxel (GER) 5th.

Because of the close gap of the playing level, because at the end of the tournament players get tired, the play got rough which was more or less the case in the struggle for the third place. Anyway Schweriner (GER) was able to beat a very good team from Portugal coached by the enthusiastic Carla Antunes.

The final game was a thriller in the first half. When former champion Vallparadis forgot to score out of many opportunities it was “golden boy” Sergi Gabriel to lead his team to a well earned victory therefore leaving the Shield in Catalonia.

This was a tremendous tournament again with a grand final. Many thanks too multiple volunteers from IKF and from local bodies.

IKF Europa Shield 2014

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Friday 24, Saturday 25 and Sunday 26 January 2014 the next IKF Europa Shield takes place in Vilanova y la Geltru, Catalonia.

Eight teams will compete to become the 2014 IKF Europa Shield winner. The participants and the match schedule are available on line as well. See under Events.

IKF Europa Cup 2014 ranking

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After an exciting event in Papendrecht, The Netherlands, the 48th IKF Europa Cup came to an apotheosis. The final between PKC/Hagero and K.C. Boeckenberg was the best we have seen for ever since the 1st Europa Cup in 1967. Topkorfball of 2 topteams and a very good referee team; Lukas Filip as referee and Steve Jones as assistant referee made a remarkable match.

A record number of 58 goals in the final (31-27). An unpredictable end result till the dying minutes. The PKC venue was sold out. And the over 1,500 enthusiastic supporters created a tremendous atmosphere.

Rank Team Country
1 PKC/Hagero NED
2 Boeckenberg K.C. BEL
3 N.C. Benfica POR
4 VKC Kolin CZE
5 SG Pegasus GER
6 Trojans ENG
7 Barcelona K.C. CAT
8 State University HSS RUS
9 1908 SZAC KSE HUN
10 Zemun SRB
11 Bonson FJEP FRA
12 Edinburgh City Korfball Club SCO

PKC achieved another record. This was in total their 11th IKF Europa Cup. The first was in 1979 and the previous cup – number 10 – was in 2006.

PKC/Hagero wins IKF Europa Cup 2014

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PKC/Hagero has won the IKF Europa Cup 2014. The Dutch champion won the cup by defeating K. Boeckenberg K.C. from Belgium with 31-27, in maybe the best Europa Cup-final in history. The Belgians were on their way to a surprising win, but PKC repaired a Belgian four-point-lead and secured their win in the dying minutes.

Boeckenberg had an excellent start: 1-5 after 5 minutes, with three goals out of the hands of Nick Janssens. PKC had to go in the counter-attack, but due to the defensive pressure from the Belgians, the Dutch had a lot of scoring problems in the first 15 minutes. But in the last 10 minutes before halftime, PKC closed a 8-11 gap, and equalized at 12-12. Boeckenberg took the lead again, but PKC replied immediately and took their first lead in the dying seconds of the first half by a penalty (16-15, Johannis Schot).

In the second half, the first goal was made by PKC, but Boeckenberg refused to capitulate. PKC always was in the lead, but Boeckenberg never was down and out, especially by eleven goals out of the hands of Jesse De Bremaeker. And when Davor Duronjic scored 27-26, a Belgian equalizer was near. But PKC replied immediately, with goals from Danny den Dunnen and Johannis Schot (29-26). Boeckenberg scored once again (29-27), but the goal of Laurens Leeuwenhoek (30-27) in the last minute was the decider. Final score: 31-27. A exciting match with two winners: PKC/Hagero and the crowd (over 1,500 people), who have seen a high-quality-final. And a match without a real loser, for K. Boeckenberg K.C. has played as a winning team. Unfortunately for them, it wasn’t enough, but they proved today that the Belgian korfball maybe is on a higher level than ever.

IKF ECup 2014 final day

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VKC Kolin – NC Benfica 10-24 (5-12)

NC Benfica showed supremacy on all korfball skills during this match decisive for bronze. Especially the rebound was perfect which gave enthusiastic attackers many opportunities to create an early gap.

It has been mentioned that Portugal is preparing for a surprise later this year during IKF EKC and it must be said, they are well on their way.

As for the team from Czech Republic, although never a real challenger in this game, it is heart warming that after a couple of years with minor results, they seem to be back on stage.

IKF ECup 2014 final day

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State University HSS – KC Benfica 30-23 (17-14)

The match started well for the Russian players (8-4) but even then it was clear that, just like the days before, success was too much depending on the supremacy of just two players.

Already by the break the Catalans had dealt with the matter and had taken the lead. When HSS proved to be unable to change the tactical plan, Barcelona, slowly but surely, strolled towards an easy win after all. securing the 7th place.

Trojans KC – SG Pegasus 18-24 (7-14)

Was it that the team of Trojans spent too much energy in the match against he Catalans whereas the Germans had a far more easier task against The Russian team? In any case at some moments there was the impression that especially physically they under go the law of the strongest.

Throughout the tournament  surprised the spectators with very fluent play, much determination and a tremendous group of supporters. A team hard to beat in the German competition, we may imagine!

An clear infringement on purpose from an English player proved that this would not be the moment of victory for Trojans. Both teams are to be congratulated for a great tribute to korfball community!

IKF Europa Cup finals on Saturday

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Saturday 18 January the following matches are scheduled to decide on  the ranking for the first eight places. Tomorrow the 48th winner of the Europa Cup will be known.

Saturday 18 January 2014
10.00 Match Q KC Barcelona State University-HSS winner 7th; loser 8th
12.00 Match R Trojans KC SG Pegasus Rommerscheid 1991 e.V. winner 5th; loser 6th
14.00 Match S VKC Kolin NV Benfica winner 3rd; loser 4th
16.00 Match T PKC/Hagero K.Boeckenberg K.C. winner 1st; loser 2nd
17.30 Medal and closing Ceremony

IKF ECup 2014 day 3

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K Boeckenberg KC – NC Benfica 33-11 (16-3)

Boeckenberg from the beginning tried to control the game by a full court press in defense. As a result passing was difficult for Benfica and many misunderstandings occurred. The second Belgian attack took much time but even then it became clear that no surprise was to be expected. At that moment only Luise Costa had been successful for Benfica.

The Belgians had a comfortable lead at half time. They did not field their strongest team to be able to prepare for the final in optimal conditions.

Same scenario in the second half. Benfica was incapable to benefit from Belgian tactical changes. Just one of the reasons was a disappointing scoring percentage (11/90). But then it seemed that the struggle for bronze on the final day was the important issue.

 

IKF ECup 2014 day 3

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State University HSS – SG Pegasus 23-30 (11-14)

The major concern of the Germans must have been to prevent the talented Kazachkov from scoring too many.  Obviously, in the first half, they very well succeeded due to a 26% scoring percentage from mainly male players.

Also in the second half the Russian tactical plan remained too predictable with the focus on two main attackers. The Germans took care of a decent setting in the attack zone, with good rebound opportunities and assists. As a result Pegasus gained confidence and precious time went lost for the team of Orel.

This could mean that we would have a traditional England-Germany on the final day as it was so often the case in past IKF Europa Cups.

IKF ECup 2014 day 3

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KC Barcelona – Trojans KC 23-24 (14-11)

Spectators watched a very exciting first half time. At this stag it was just impossible to predict a final outcome.

Some nervous play by the Catalans was countered by longer English attacks.  As it was often the case in the past, this was more than just a struggle between two different type of styles. In the past years nations and clubs from the Iberian peninsula started to claim a top 4 European ranking.

In the beginning of the second half Trojans managed to narrow the gap with the equaliser with 21′ to go.  (David Brooks 15-15) Too many infringements from the Catalans and English girl power gave a lead to Trojans KC, time for the Catalan coach to think of a plan.

As the game moved on towards the end, bad passing and nervous play kept both teams from creating a sustainable difference in score (Alvarez 21-20 with 8′ to go)

23-23 with one minute on the clock meant that everyone started hoping for a golden goal but Goodridge with her second of the match decided otherwise!