Dinamo Elektrostal cruised to a strong opening victory over
SG Amsicora with Dmitry Azarov’s hat trick under-pinning a 6-1 success in the
first Round 1 game in Hamburg.
He fired home three times in the first half to set up the
success, scoring two corners along with a delightful baseline shimmy to build a
4-0 lead.

Andrey Kuraev got the other one before half-time with an
exceptionally brave goal, diving onto the ball to tip in before colliding with
the goal-post.
Evgueny Mokrousov extended the lead out to 5-0 with a low
rocket through Marcello Manca.
Amsicora got one back with their first ever EHL goal when
Luca Angius volleyed home a spectacular effort in the 44^th minute.
But Kuraev closed out the victory with another smart finish
to record their 6-1 win. Amsicora will play their second match on Saturday
against Royal Leopold while the Russians meet Leo on Sunday in what looks the decisive
group game.


Image Credit: Euro Hockey League/Frank Uijlenbroek. This image may not be reproduced without the explicit permission of the EHL or the photographer.