'8David AuraD. Aura
'21Guillaume DerontG. Deront
HT
'36Blaise RogeauB. Rogeau
'40Guillaume SamsonG. Samson
FT
SOVicenç RuizV. Ruiz
SOTom GenestetT. Genestet
SOPere DivorraP. Divorra
SOFréderic GohlkeF. Gohlke
SOGerard ClapésG. Clapés
SOFrançois GoyetF. Goyet
SOPol GispertP. Gispert
SOKevin MercurioK. Mercurio
SOJosep RomeuJ. Romeu
SOThomas PauchetT. Pauchet
Match report
Club Egara produced an almost identical victory to their 2015 KO16 success over Saint Germain which also ended 1-1 before prevailing in a shoot-out.
The vastly experienced Quico Cortes produced an excellent set of blocks in the decisive phase to hand his side the victory and their first trip to the quarter-finals since that 20014/15 campaign.
It was a gritty, physical battle throughout against a Saint Ger side who caused them plenty of problems throughout. Egara did go in front when Pol Gispert’s crash ball into the circle took a deflection which Guillaume de Vaucelles had to block. It fell from his pads, though, into the gleeful path of David Aura who chipped in a seventh minute opening goal.
The first half grew increasingly physical with numerous bodies going tumbling but no advance on the scoreline.
When the leveller did come, it was a thing of the beauty that lit up the contest. Martin Genestet’s powerful cross from the right wing was controlled with a bounce by Blaise Rogeau who took the chance to unleash a fabulous high volley that gave Cortes no chance.
For the remainder, Egara looked the more likely to get a winning goal, particularly in the last five minutes but a shoot-out was the outcome.
There, Tom Genestet and Vincenc Ruiz both scored in the first round before a round of misses. Francois Goyet was also denied before Gerard Clapes held his nerve despite a buzzer malfunction to get a crucial goal for 2-1.
No one was able to score from the closing four shoot-outs with Cortes brilliantly keeping out Thomas Pauchet in the last round with his hands.
Xavi Gispert said afterwards: “We played very well first half and could have gotten a couple of goals but we have a lot to improve for the next game. Rhythm is key in the EHL and that is what we will have to change for our next game.”
As for his goalkeeper, Gispert added: “We are lucky to have him and hopefully he will be around for a long time.”