Goals from Mark O’Mahony and Justin Ferizaj cancelled out Oliwier Slawinski’s first-half brace to ensure Ireland progressed to the Elite Round of qualification next spring as group winners ahead of Poland.

“It was a rollercoaster of a game today,” said manager Colin O’Brien shortly after full time.

“It was a really big test but we are delighted, we are absolutely delighted because we top the group.

“Our objective was to qualify and we secured that after two games but today was a bigger challenge and we knew that.

“Going two goals down but then coming back to get two goals shows that there is a bit of substance in the squad as well and that is really important going forward. We are delighted with the tournament as a whole and especially today.”

O’Brien made two changes from this side that defeated North Macedonia 2-0 on Sunday evening with Franco Umeh and Darius Lipsiuc coming in for Ferizaj and Trent Kone Doherty.

Ireland started brightly and they had two sights at goal in the opening minutes but Mark O’Mahony and Rocco Vata – the two players on the scoresheet last time out – sent their tame efforts from the edge of the penalty area straight at the goalkeeper.

The hosts suddenly found themselves trailing shortly before the quarter of an hour mark when Cathal Heffernan fouled striker Oliwier Slawinski inside the box. The Polish number four dusted himself down and slotted his spot-kick into the bottom corner to give his side the lead.

Poland almost made it 2-0 moments later but Tomasso Guercio could only lift his attempt over the bar as he raced clear one on one with the goalkeeper.

But the reprieve from an Irish point of view was all too brief as in the 20th minute Poland would double their advantage and it was that man Slawinski who got it as he cleverly shouldered Maciej Bochniak’s cross into the net from close range.

The Boys in Green would half that deficit in the 27th minute though when Mark O’Mahony pressed the keeper on the edge of the box and regained possession before rolling it into the back of the net on the turn for his third goal in as many games.

They were now in charge of proceedings and Umeh and Vata both went close either side of the half-time break but neither could hit the target with the strikes from distance.

Substitute Justin Ferizaj would show them how it’s done just past the hour mark as he made it 2-2 when he curled a sensational free from at least 25 yards out into the top left corner, giving the keeper absolutely no chance.

Ireland pressed forward as they looked for the goal that would complete a remarkable comeback and see them make it three wins out of three for this camp but it wasn’t to be although the point was enough to see them end Group Five in first place.

Republic of Ireland: Walsh; Curtis, Heffernan, Browne, O’Brien; Lipsuic (Ferizaj ht), McManus, Umeh (Kone Doherty 77; Vata, O’Mahony, Zefi.

Poland: Mendes-Dudzinski; Guercio, Kurzydlowski, Tudruj, Bockniak (Dziuba 91); Kalemba (Bernatowicz 70), Tomaszewski, Staniszewski; Masiak (Jedrasik 91), Slawinski, Terlecki (Gruszecki 73).

Referee: Sigurd Kringstad (Norway).

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It was the second defeat that Jonathan Bell’s side had inflicted on the Polish after a 2-1 win in the teams’ opening match.

Teenager Kevin O’Dea’s brace was what separated the two sides in the end – O’Dea had made his Ireland debut against Poland earlier in the competition.

Ireland’s stunning first half had the host nation chasing after them from the beginning with a penalty corner in the opening minutes causing Poland trouble.

O’Dea scored towards the end of the first quarter after he controlled a pass from Peter McKibbin and slotted home.

Jonny McKee added another before the quarter came to a close who stroked home at the second time of asking.

Ireland continued their trend of missing chances while ahead after the loss to Scotland but it did not come back to haunt them like the semi-final.

Poland came to life in the third quarter and got their first goal through Wojtek Rutkowski, who fired home from their second penalty corner.

Ireland responded well and Shane O’Donoghue scored his fourth of the tournament to further the gap to two once more.

Jacek Kurowski kept his side in contention when he added a second but the Polish were unable to find an elusive third.

Ireland vanquished any lingering doubts about the result among fans with a fourth goal three minutes from time putting the final nail in the Polish coffin.

Ian Stewart’s shot was parried after a nice move from Bell’s attacking side but O’Dea was on hand to score his second of the day on the rebound and secure the bronze medal for the national side.

Ireland’s third-place finish also guarantees the side a 2023 FIH World Cup qualifier spot.

The side will battle it out with seven other European nations in Cardiff in October for a spot at the upcoming World Cup in India.

The post Ireland Finish Third At EuroHockey Championship II After Win Over Poland appeared first on SportsNewsIreland.

Shane O’Donoghue’s 112^th international goal had Ireland ahead in the seventh minute but a quick reply from Francois Sior in the 13^th minute levelled the scoreline and no more changes were made to it.

Thereafter, it was a maze of patience as the Italians – ranked eight places below Ireland in 22^nd – defended deep and resolutely to offer up limited chances.

The result leaves both sides on four points after two games with Ireland knowing a win of any description against world number 40 side Croatia will see them through to the semi-finals and a confirmed place in the World Cup qualifiers.

“Credit to the Italians, they defended well, stuck to their guns and then went for the long high ball while we didn’t hit fourth or fifth gear,” was O’Donoghue’s assessment.

“We didn’t play with the same level of aggression to the game against Poland. There were some sticky patches which we had to weather and we played good stuff at times but the bounce of the ball didn’t go our way.”

After a slightly slow Irish start saw them concede a second-minute penalty corner, Jonathan Bell’s side soon found a fruitful avenue of attack with O’Donoghue’s accurate crossfield overheads causing plenty of danger.

From the left-wing, he often picked out Tim Cross overlapping down the right and it produced Ireland’s first corner from which O’Donoghue cracked home his 112^th international goal with a low drag-flick in the seventh minute.

But the lead was short-lived as a flurry of Italian attacks ended with a loose clearance falling straight to Sior who unleashed a rocket into the roof of the goal.

The second quarter was incredibly tight with few sights on goal as Italy sat deep, looking to counter while the Green Machine enjoyed more possession but found the defence hard to unpick.

The O’Donoghue-Cross connection continued to threaten the Italians but the pair found no success when it came to goals.

The second half was more open with Ian Stewart’s silky skills almost unlocking the door while a fast counter between Ben Nelson and Cross ended with a shot charged down.

Jeremy Duncan cracked one into the backboard but an earlier free-out was called, adding to the frustration. A third Irish corner deflected high from O’Donoghue’s powerful flick into Michael Robson but was deemed dangerous and it proved the last major opening.

While the game stretched, both defences were well controlled, picking off neat tackles in their respective circle.

The post-match body language suggested Italy were much the happier with the outcome – their first result from their last six meetings with Ireland, dating back to 2005.

O’Donoghue said after the match that there was plenty to take from the tie for the young line-up.

“We had a few corners which we needed to capitalise on but this is tournament hockey and we have to learn from it. It is never smooth sailing and you never know what to expect.

“They play their style which is frustrating to play against. I don’t think they caused us too much damage but, from our end, we didn’t have create enough chances.”

Ireland have a quick turnaround with Croatia – playing at this level for the first time – are next on Wednesday afternoon at 4.45pm (Irish time).

“Tomorrow, it is important we don’t go hell for leather from the start. It is important we stick to the gameplan; we know it works from the Poland game,” O’Donoghue continued.

“All the teams are here for the same thing and want to win it, get that gold medal and move up the world rankings.

“We will get back to basics, not make those mistakes, get our forwards more into the game, take some chances and we will be fine.

“We will research the Croatians and go into it with good belief we can get the job done.”

Ireland: J Milliken, T Cross, J McKee, K Marshall, S O’Donoghue, S Murray, M McNellis, P McKibbin, M Robson, B Walker, B Nelson

Subs: D Walsh, K O’Dea, N Glassey, J Duncan, F Gibson, I Stewart

Italy: F Padovani, M Garbaccio, N Mondo, A Nunez, Julian Montone, T Keenan, J Munafo, F Sior, M Mondo, F Harte, M Amorosini

Subs: J Ortega, Juan Montone, D Arosio, C Brocco, F Blom, L Stramazzo

Umpires: T Meissner (GER), F Weiland (AUT)

The post Ireland Held By Italians In Second EuroHockey II Game appeared first on SportsNewsIreland.

The four that will contest it are Poland, Slovakia, Spain, and Sweden.

Each side has noticeable flaws that can be exploited by the opposition on any given day.

POLAND

Poland enters this tournament with the same squad they always enter tournaments with – Robert Lewandowski and the other guys.

However, that view is unfair on Poland.

Their side may rely on Lewandowski, but the quality is visible across the pitch in Paulo Sousa’s setup. 

Six players scored 30+ goals across Europe's top five divisions, Champions League and Europe league in 2020/21.

Only Robert Lewandowski hit 40+. pic.twitter.com/L7khevYGLP

— Squawka Football (@Squawka) May 31, 2021

Mateusz Klich and Piotr Zielinski will look to improve upon impressive seasons at their respective clubs.

They will provide the midfield engine for the Eastern European side.

Centre-back Jan Bednarek and goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny will be the key defensive options for Sousa’s Poland but there is a considerable lack of adequate depth when compared to the bigger sides in the tournament.

Nonetheless, their first-choice eleven should do enough to progress.

SLOVAKIA

Slovakia entered the European Championships via the Nations League play-offs.

They beat both the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland to earn their spot.

However, their results are very up-and-down, and their star names are not enough for consistency.

Marek Hamsik, Milan Skriniar, Ondrej Duda and Martin Dubravka are all part of the current Slovakian core.

Their goalscoring threat is quite low with just 15 goals in 18 games since 2019.

The squad is not strong enough to offer a huge threat to the rest of Group E.

SPAIN

Spain, on the other hand, has brought a strong side to the Euros, albeit an underwhelming 24-man strong side.

Star defender Sergio Ramos was snubbed due to a lack of match fitness while Eric Garcia got in after making half as many appearances as the former.

Spanish boss Luis Enrique has brought the French-born Aymeric Laporte in from the international wilderness, called up the exceptional Marcos Llorente, and assembled an all-star midfield, but the forwards lack options.

Villarreal’s Gerard Moreno looks set to lead the line for the three-time European Championship winners, but Alvaro Morata does not inspire confidence and most of the options have not had consistent spells of good form this season.

Their recent stalemate against Portugal in Madrid is a clear example of their struggles in the final third.

Regardless, La Roja is a clear favourite to win this group and have a home advantage for their games.

SWEDEN

Finally, we come to Sweden.

The Swedes are bringing one of the oldest sides to the European Championships this summer with an average age of 29.2.

Their goalkeeping options inspire as much confidence as their backline would – not a lot.

Their most exciting play will take place on the wings and through the middle, where the best of their talents resides.

Emil Forsberg and Dejan Kulusevski are available on either side of their centre-midfielders while Robin Quaison, Jordan Larsson, Marcus Berg, and Alexander Isak can all play through the middle.

Sweden has failed to beat many of the heavy hitters in Europe over the recent years but poses a strong threat to their competition in Group E.

Group E Fixtures:

Poland v Slovakia Monday, 14th June 17:00.

Spain v Sweden Monday 14th June 20:00.

Sweden v Slovakia Friday, 18th June 14:00.

Spain v Poland Saturday, 19th June 20:00.

Sweden v Poland Wednesday, 23rd June 17:00.

Slovakia v Spain Wednesday, 23rd June 17:00

Betting

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