FIH Champions Challenge II (Men) – Number Seventh and Eighth Positions
The second version of the FIH (International Hockey Federation) Champions Challenge II was more enthralling and enchanting as compared to the first one. This time Lillie, the city of France, was the venue where eight teams got together to fascinate the hockey
lovers and fans across the world.
After nine days of awe-inspiring action, Ireland emerged victorious, while the home team of France was the runner-up. Russia, Scotland, Czech Republic and China respectively secured the 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th positions
in the eight-team event. The hockey men from United States and Austria were the two bottom teams and finished the tournament at the 7th and 8th positions.
United States of America
The team that is currently holding 20th position in the world ranking remained unimpressive throughout the tournament and could only win two games out of total six. It opened the tournament with a bad sign and lost the first game in the hands
of Czech Republic by a single goal, 3-2. After facing a defeat in the second match, the US team revved it up and marked a single goal victory over Austria in the third fixture. In the fourth encounter, the Irish men thrashed the US squad by four goals, 6-2.
In the play-off match, USA once again lost to Czech Republic, while won the last fixture again Austria.
It scored only 11 goals while conceded 16 in the six appearances.
Patrick Cota, Shawn Nakamura, Ian Scally, Jarred Martin and Patrick Harris were some of the experienced names in the US squad. Patrick Harris was highest scorer from the US team who set the pace with four goals. Will Holt added three goals, while his team-mates,
Kevin Barber, Michiel Dijxhoorn, Jon Ginolfi and Tyler Sundeen accounted for one goal each. It is vital to mention here that the US men did not compete in the first edition of the Champions Challenge II held in 2009 in Irish city of Dublin.
Austria
The 21st ranked hockey team of Austria was a completely failed squad of the eight-nation event. It won only a single completion and lost five games out of total six played in the Champions Challenge II. On the way to the bottom position, it started
the campaign against China and lost to a single goal, 2-1. However, the Austrians marked a significant victory over Czech Republic by 4-3 in the second fixture of the Champions Challenge II. It was beaten in the hands US men in the 4th match, while
received a defeat from France by 3-2 in the penalty-shootout round. In the next fixture, the Austrians were beaten by Chinese by 3-2 and lost to the US team at 5-2.
It scored 13 goals while 17 goals were scored against them in the last six games.
Armin Stremitzer, Elmar Stremitzer, Georg Jelinek, Benjamin Stanzl, Philipp Greutter and Michael Korper were names of some experienced players from Austria. Alexander Bele and Michael Korper were the highest goal scorers from the Austria with three goals
apiece.
Georg Jelinek, Manuel Grandits and Georg Jelinek scored two goals each in the six games and finished the tournament at the bottom position. Matthias Gero was the player who added a single goal played his part of the game in the tournament.
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