by John Preece
Edinburgh’s Inverleith Hockey Club make their debut on the International Indoor stage tomorrow in EuroHockey’s Indoor Club Trophy held over three days at Edinburgh Napier University’s [EN]GAGE Sports Arena at Sighthill. Their opposition for the weekend are all National Champions in their own countries, and have plenty of European experience, so this will be a baptism of fire for the North Edinburgh squad.
The tournament is a ’round-robin’ of matches and Inverleith have to contend with AD Lousada (Portugal) and Lille MHC (France) on the Friday. Slagesle HC (Denmark) and HC 1972 Rakovnik (Czech Republic) on Saturday, and finally HC Kolos-Sekvoia Vinnitsa (Ukraine) and Lille, again, on Sunday. The Polish champions, WKS Grunwald Poznan, were down to compete but had to withdraw due to a clashing Olympic Qualifying fixture in Delhi (Priorities, guys…).
In the best spirit of sportsmanship, Dundee’s Menzieshill club – relegated last year – are helping out with information and videos of all the competing teams. Although Inverleith have not played at this level before, several of their players have previous, and current, International experience with Scotland.
Inverleith’s fate rests solely in their own hands and, as favourites for promotion, must make a good start on the Friday (match schedule below) to give themselves the best possible chance.
| Friday 17th February 2012 | ||||
| 10.00 | Lille MHC | v | HC 1972 Rakovnik | |
| 11.10 | Racing Club Bruxelles | v | Inverleith | |
| 12.20 | AD Lousada | v | HC Kolos-Sekvoia Vinnitsa | |
| 13.30 | Slagelse HC | v | HC 1972 Rakovnik | |
| 14.40 | Racing Club Bruxelles | v | Lille MHC | |
| 15.50 | AD Lousada | v | Inverleith | |
| 17.00 | Slagelse HC | v | HC Kolos-Sekvoia Vinnitsa | |
| Saturday 18th February 2012 | ||||
| 10.00 | AD Lousada | v | Lille MHC | |
| 11.10 | Racing Club Bruxelles | v | HC Kolos-Sekvoia Vinnitsa | |
| 12.20 | Inverleith | v | Slagelse HC | |
| 13.30 | AD Lousada | v | HC 1972 Rakovnik | |
| 14.40 | Lille MHC | v | HC Kolos-Sekvoia Vinnitsa | |
| 15.50 | Slagelse HC | v | Racing Club Bruxelles | |
| 17.00 | Inverleith | v | HC 1972 Rakovnik | |
| Sunday 19th February 2012 | ||||
| 08.30 | Slagelse HC | v | AD Lousada | |
| 09.40 | Racing Club Bruxelles | v | HC 1972 Rakovnik | |
| 10.50 | Inverleith | v | HC Kolos-Sekvoia Vinnitsa | |
| 12.00 | Slagelse HC | v | Lille MHC | |
| 13.10 | Racing Club Bruxelles | v | AD Lousada | |
| 14.20 | HC 1972 Rakovnik | V | HC Kolos-Sekvoia Vinnitsa | |
| 15.30 | Inverleith | v | Lille MHC | |
