Match Report: UCD -v- Dublin International
Date & Time: Sunday, 20th November 12:30
Venue: UCD
UCD last year’s runners-up faced-off against last year’s champions, Dublin International. Based on the initial reports from matches, Dublin International were definitely favourite for the game. But much like the game between DCU and Astra earlier that day, this match was boggling.
DI defense failed in the first few attacks, Berkovicz reigned supreme between the posts for UCD. The young college side coupled this with some quick counters, soon DI were trailing, it was all beginning to untangle, could UCD provide an upset? DI found their feet and changed tack. 3-3 high defense was the order of the day, in an attempt to disrupt the play and frighten UCD. The result was mixed, no doubt Kulesh’s performance on the line in the first half was excellent, he missed little as the space opened in the loose defense. But DI began to claw it back, Fredihe in goals teamed up well with Celko who seemed like the only player with the legs to counter-attack for DI. But this regrouping took its time, and DI lead by 5 goals at half-time 15-20.
DI wasted chances while UCDs resolve was not broken, especially Berkovicz who cheered and encouraged his team throughout the match. Andresson’s fist-punch and cheer someway into the second half denoted his team’s obvious frustrations when after a long drought and several misses, saved shots, he scored, gesturing that this could be the point were DI put the game to bed. The game was probably beyond doubt at this point but DI could still not fully deal with UCDs attack, Eberle scored right-handed from both wings, Fredihe was ineffective. DI put some more breathing space between the sides as UCD began to slide, the final score was 30-43.
UCD: Kulesh [9], Eberle [11, 2”], Berkovicz [0], Ó Ceallacháin [0, 2 x 2”], Vigir [4], Hopper [6, 2”], Leonard [0], Tecklenborg [0, 2”].
Best Player: Erik BERKOVICZ
Dublin International: Fredihe [0], Vit [6], Andresson [7, 2”], Martinonis [11], Kambic [1, Y], Donner [3, 2 x 2”], Celko [9], Selak [0], Grassl [1, 2”], Ciba [1].
Best Player: Marion CELKO
Referees: Oisín Ó Brannagáin & Ciarán Ó Brannagáin
Match Report: DCU -v- Astra
Date & Time: Sunday, 20th November 2011 10:30
Venue: DCU
Each year, DCU are an unknown quantity. Aside from the golden years in the early noughties when the team – packed with ERASMUS superstars – won several back-to-back Senior League titles, the team has never really looked like a serious contender. This looked like it could be the university’s year again with new stewardship and new blooded players.
DCU arrived with a packed bench, Astra arrived with one sub and three goalies, everyone expected a easy victory for DCU but Andy’s army were going to shock.
The match started with a flourish for Astra, they took an early 4-1 lead. Some may have thought this was merely settling in for DCU but they did not bounce back from this early set-back. Both teams made errors and failed to capitalise on the others mistakes but Astra seemed to make better of the early exchanges. At half-time DCU had managed to claw back the scoreline and were tied going into the break, 13-13.
In the second half DCU began strongly and took a small lead but Astra held their nerve and did not give in. The goals seemed to come easy for Astra from individual, broken plays. DCUs goals required more work, except for the occasional fast-break. DCU never took a firm grip of the game, the scores meandered between two up, one up, tied. The pivotal point of the game came near the end, while two goals down, Astra’s goalie took a long 40 m shot on goal, striking the bottom of the post beating the keeper, DCU knew they were in luck. A goal down the other end and a two minute suspension for Astra meant that DCU could stem the tide, relax and stroll to victory.
The final scores will record that DCU won by four goals, 34-30 is flattering for those who witnessed the match will know that Andy’s army put up a strong fight, almost upsetting the DCU apple-cart but showing that the result in handball is never beyond doubt.
DCU: Maher [0], Cunningham [7], Berthelot [4], Joensen [3, 2”], Belak [2], Stauf [6], Herrero [4], Abdel Mohty [2], Stasiulis [0], Moutou [1], Gauthiez [5, Y].
Best Player: Javier HERRERO
Astra: Vaughan [0], Pell [0], Urban [4, 2”], O Doherty D. [8], O Doherty L. [6], Glas [11, Y], Ongaro [1, 2”], Pongol [0].
Best Player: Alex GLAS
Referees: Paul Gray & Ciarán Ó Brannagáin
