Dream debuts for Old Georgians and Pinoké

Debutants Old Georgians and Pinoké advanced to the KO8 following their big wins over SV Arminen and SK Slavia Prague respectively on day three in Hamburg.

Old Georgians eased through to the KO8 with a comfortable win over SV Arminen in the pouring rain in Hamburg, eventually breaking down the Austrian club’s defences in the third quarter.

James Carson gave the English club a dream start in their EHL debut when he intercepted a loose pass just a couple of metres from goal and he calmly flicked in.

After that, though, the floodgates took their time to open as Mateusz Szymczyk made a series of good saves while the game struggled for full tempo with a heavy pitch due to the weather.

The second goal gave OGs more breathing room as James Albery drove forward and struck goalwards where Sam Ward was on hand to tip in. Ward was instrumental in creating the third goal, too, setting up a close range tip-in for Chirs Proctor.

Ward then got another poacher’s goal for the fourth, Ashley Jackson delivering the pass into the danger zone where the forward was lurking to make it 4-0 in the final reckoning.

Pinoké went through with a 16-0 win over SK Slavia Prague in a battle between two teams making their debut in the Euro Hockey League.

The measure of the challenge was laid out for Slavia within the first minute when Pinoké won a corner which Alexander Hendrickx slammed in for the first of a personal tally of five goals.

Miles Bukkens also got four, the FIH Rising Star nominee getting his first in just the third minute and they barely looked back after that. It was 5-0 before the end of the first quarter; 9-0 at half-time and then 13-0 by the end of Q3. 

Three final quarter strikes left them just short of the all-time biggest victory which was a 19-2 result in 2015’s EHL between AH&BC Amsterdam and KS Pomorzanin Torun.

It means Pinoké will face Old Georgians for a place in the FINAL8 at 12.00 (CET) on Sunday while SV Arminen and SK Slavia Prague contest the Ranking Match at 09.45 (CET).

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EHL Men’s KO16 will be available for broadcast across the globe from September 29 to October 2, 2022 via the following outlets

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