Great Britain hang on to gain 2nd place in their pool
GB U21s lost out 14-15 to the Czechs in a close fought game,
but the result was still enough to secure qualification for
the top pools in the second phase of the European U21 championships.
The result of the U21 match between GB and the Czech team
was close, with the GB team losing 14-15 in the end, after
a half time score of 9-10.
The match was played knowing that a win would place GB first
in the group and a defeat by less than 4 would mean second
place (due to Germany beating the Czechs 18-11 on Monday).
The Czechs started strongly scoring 3 times in the opening
3 minutes before Britain opened its account. However, some
slack defensive work allowed the Czechs to extend this lead
to 4 goals after 11 minutes play and Colin Boys then made
his first change, taking off Luke Francis. The change worked
well as the re-organised British team gradually found their
range and as we entered the last few seconds had drawn level.
The Czechs were not finished, however, and went ahead again
just before the break. (Half time 10 – 9).
More than ten minutes passed in the second half before the
next goal (by the Czechs), a shot from behind the post bouncing
three times on the rim of the korf before dropping in. The
next phase of the game was critical as to who would have a
chance to reach places 1 to 4. The GB team upped their game
to score 3 times to take the lead. It was short lived as the
Czechs immediately equalised. With 8 minutes left GB were
ahead again but three goals in quick succession had the Czechs
two ahead. Two more without reply would mean they would finish
second in the group and the Czechs tried to gain turnovers
by standing off their opponents and trying to force us to
shoot. Colin called a time out and from then on the team did
not fall into the trap and dashed the Czech’s hopes
with a long shot from Lia Matthews with 3 minutes left. In
the last 30 seconds GB almost equalised but it was the Czechs
who won the game 15 – 14.
Despite losing, the GB team's performance against Germany
gave GB a better goal difference and the last place in group
P with the Netherlands and Catalonia in the second phase.
Germany will play against Belgium and Russia in Pool R. The
other pool will consist of the Czech Republic, Portugal and
Hungary with the winners still able to claim 5th place and
World Championship qualification.
Lia Matthews (1)
Dan Woolmer
Joe Bedford (3 inc 1 pen)
Aimee Evans (4)
Davesh Patel (3 inc 1 pen)
Luke Francis (1)
Natasha Dawson
Becca Woolmer (2) (captain)
Jonny Nickerson went on for Luke Francis (1st half)
Joe Olds went on for Joe Bedford (2nd half)
The GB team are feeling very positive about the next round,
playing Catalonia at 20.00 on Day 4 and then the Netherlands
on Day 5 at 16.00, and still looking to achieve a top 5 place.
The British Korfball community wish the U21 team all the
success in the key game against Catalonia.
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