The BDO EuroHockey Cup Winners Challenge hosted at the Corradino Hockey Complex came to an end today with the final three games.

 

In the first game HK Zelina beat Seijanoki Utd 4-0 with all four goals coming in the first half. The Croatian goals were scored by Edo Jalzabetic and Nikola Jalzabetic who each scored two.The Croatians also missed two penalty strokes.

 

The last two games were the matches that decided the promotions. In the first game, RCOR-MIF Minsk surprised favourites Eagles HC from Gibraltar by three goals to two. For the Belorussians it was a positive end to a positive tournament. Stefan Rodriguez put Eagles into the lead after 11 mins from a penalty corner but by the end of the half Minsk had turned the score around with goals from Yauhen Velihon and Allaksand Hancharov. Eagles came out strongly in the second half and their efforts were rewarded with a goal from penalty corner specialist Gareth Henwood. Things were pointing to extra time until nine minutes from time Allaksand Hancharov got his second goal from a short corner to give promotion to Belorussian side.

 

The final game of the tournament saw Cardiff University win promotion with a straight forward victory over Slagelse HC from Denmark. An early goal after 7 mins from Martyn White got the ball rolling and a second from the same player before the half time gave Cardiff a two goal cushion. Cardiff, who impressed with their fitness, scored a further two goals from Gavin Vollmer and David Hughes before Slaglese pulled one back through Jesper Sorensen. White notched up his hat-thrick with the fifth goal a minute from time.

 

With these three goals White equalled Stefan Rodriguez (Eagles HC) as the tournament top scorers while Christian Nielsen (Slagelse HK) was voted Tournament Best Player.

 

Final Positions were as follows:

 

1. RCOR-MIF Minsk (Promoted)

1. Cardiff University (Promoted)

3. Eagles HK

3. Slagelse HK

5. Sliema Hs

5. HK Zelina

7. Seinajoki UTD

8. Rosco Budapest