The semi-finals are over, along with the Euro Winners Cup adventure for two more teams
The last two places in the competition have been filled, golazos have been scored, tempers have flared and both tears of joy and disappointment have been shed.
Semi-finals
CSO Amneville BS vs Portsmouth Ladies BSC
It took a nerve-racking penalty shootout to get Portsmouth through in yesterday’s quarter-finals against Lady Gremback EE Lodz. The Brits were keen to maintain their impressive run and had their eyes very much on the prize.
The French burst into action immediately, putting away three golazos within the first few minutes. Portsmouth pulled two back in the first period, but still trailed by one. When the French scored a fourth, the game seemed to be slipping away from the Pompey Ladies, but two third-period goals brought the teams to four apiece.
Just when it seemed that extra time was guaranteed, with less than a second to go, up steps Molly Clark to smash in the winner and send her team into the final.
WFC Zvezda vs AIS Playas de San Javier
After knocking out the reigning champions, Havana Shots, in yesterday’s quarter-finals WFC Zvezda could be forgiven for feeling that they could go the whole way in the competition this year.
AIS Playas de San Javier had their own ambitions and after having knocked out a very strong Roses Platja team in the quarter-finals, they weren’t going to be easy to defeat. The Spanish took the lead in the first period, seeming to be in comfortable control going into the second period. But in the second, the Russians hit back and they brought to score back to 2-2.
There would be two more goals in the third period but, unfortunately for Playas de San Javier, they both went to WFC Zvezda, dashing the Spanish hopes of playing in the final. The Russians will meet the English team, Portsmouth Ladies tomorrow to decide the Euro Winners Cup champions.
Position Play-Offs
KU AZS UAM Poznan vs Madrid CFF
After being thumped by Higicontrol Melilla the previous day, KU AZS UAM Poznan were keen to not let today’s Spanish rivals have such an easy victory. Madrid, who had lost their bout on penalties yesterday, started the stronger of the two, leading by a single goal going into the first break.
They managed to extend this lead to three, until the Czech team dragged a goal back and suddenly the gap between the teams didn’t seem so big. But an Andrea brace, as well as an Estela hat-trick, meant that the Czechs were resigned to another Spanish defeat.
Beachkick Ladies Berlin vs Lokrians Beach Club
The Beachkick Ladies were beaten by a single goal yesterday and were looking to have a second attempt at victory today against an Italian side who lost 6-2 to Sporting CP. The Germans took the lead in the first period, with goals from Maurer and Joswiak and looked very much in the driver’s seat going into the second period.
Beachkick Ladies extended their tally to five, with the Italian side only managing to net once through Boutimah. The second period finished 5-1 and, despite two more goals from Lokrians, they were unable to catch the Germans, who claimed all three points in what, in the end, proved to be a comfortable victory.
Higicontrol Melilla vs ASD Lady Terracina
After defeating Madrid CFF on penalties the previous day, ASD Lady Terracina had their next Spanish victims in their sights. But Higicontrol Melilla were coming into this game of the back of a comfortable win over KU AZS UAM Poznan, and were full of confidence.
The Spanish took control of the game in the first half with two goals from their number ten, Maria Soto. These goals were all that separated the teams after the second period too, with the Italians only having the third period to try and mount a comeback.
They did manage to score again but, unfortunately for Lady Terracina, so did Higicontrol Melilla. The game finished with the Spaniards enjoying a two-goal cushion and another win under their belts.
HTC BS Zwolle vs Sporting CP
With the only thing left to play for being final finishing positions, HTC BS Zwolle (Netherlands) and Sporting CP (Portugal) would make the most of an opportunity for a confidence boosting win. They both vanquished their opponents yesterday and were looking to repeat the accomplishment again today.
The Dutch side took the lead in the first period, leaving it up to Sporting to get back into the match. The first period finished with Zwolle enjoying a 2-1 lead. The score remained the same for the entirety of the second period as well until a sudden surge from Sporting turn the game round and they managed to win by three goals to Zwolle’s tow.
CFP Caceres Femenino vs Lady Grembach EE Lodz
After both sides suffered defeats in the quarter-finals, CFP Caceres Femenino and their Polish opponents, Lady Grembach EE Lodz, where left to battle it out in the scrap for fifth place.
The first period was tight but ended goalless with both teams successfully repelling the other’s attacks. It took until the ninth minute of the second period of play for the deadlock to be broken by Adri for Lady Grembach.
The flurry of goals that followed resulted in a 4-1 lead for the Poles at the second break in play, with Adri completing her brace. After both teams netted once more in the final stage, the win was a comfortable one for Lady Grembach.
BSC Havana Shots Aargau vs Roses Platja
Like CFP Caceres Femenino and Lady Grembach EE Lodz, after being knocked out of the running for the Euro Winners Cup, the best thing that Havana Shots and their Catalan opponents had to fight for was fifth place.
And fight they would. First blood was drawn by the reigning champions, as Krysl netted in the sixth minute. Roses responded with one minute to go, meaning that the teams entered the second period on level terms.
It was a brace from Carla, the Roses Platja number five, that proved the difference between the two teams, and though the Swiss pulled one back before the final whistle, it wasn’t enough to force extra time and the Catalans walked away victorious.
For full results, fixtures and standings, click here.
