The women’s 40s ended their European adventure on a high, winning bronze in a thrilling penalty shoot out.
Lindsay Brown made the saves and Amy Atkinson got the decisive goal, as the running pens went to sudden death after Captain Lisa Paterson’s short corner had brought the Scots level at 1-1 against Spain in the play-off match.
Although the W40s topped off their campaign with a win they fell to Ireland and England, but won their first match v Spain, which was enough to get them the play-off spot and a re-match, an opportunity they took with both hands.
It was the only medal for Scotland, whose squads enjoyed a mix of results at the World Masters Hockey European Championships in Nottingham, between 29th June and 10th July.
Nine-goal thriller
The M35s also found themselves in a fight for bronze, and fight they did. Their final match against Germany was a nine-goal thriller, Richard Wright scoring before Ross Stott added a hat-trick of penalty flicks. But it was not enough, as Germany edged it by a goal at 5-4. The game capped off a reasonably successful tournament with two draws, four losses and a win.
Germany also stood between the W50s and bronze in their match. The Scots fought back from 1-0 down to secure the draw through a Kerry Smith goal. But the Germans ran out winners in the resulting showdown, 2-1. It was a re-run of a group match which Germany edged 4-3. Other results included two losses to the Netherlands, a 0-0 draw with Spain and a 1-1 draw with Ireland which went to running pens, the Scots winning 5-4.
The M50s won their last game 3-2 over France to secure 5th place. All in though, a good 10 days for the side, with two wins, two draws and two losses overall.
Exciting encounter
The W45s ended their Euros with a win, coming back to draw 3-3 with Wales in an exciting encounter which saw them avoid bottom spot in the placings as they emerged victorious on running penalties. Whilst results from the proceeding games were disappointing, with five losses from five, the side enjoyed much-improved performances and closer scorelines then in previous years.
Injuries plagued the M40s prior to the tournament. Their makeshift side were on the wrong side of results, losing to Germany, England, France and England B, but can take heart from scoring five goals throughout the tournament.
A 2-2 draw with Wales kicked off the M45s section. This was followed by a 1-1 draw with Ireland and losses against France, England, Germany and the Netherlands.
Overall then a decent showing from Scottish sides in Nottingham, with one bronze, and two more making it to a bronze medal games.
Pics: Ali Hosie and Sally Hall
