MZH European Championship 2016

Last 16

Turkey – Romania

Preview:
Turkey lost surprisingly to Finland 3-4 before winning against Ireland (6-1) and Slovakia (3-1).
Romania drew with Poland in round three (2-2) but won against Macedonia, Scotland and Lithuania (5-0, 8-1, 4-1).
These are the most successful national teams recently and just maybe Romania’s two straight golds in international tournaments can indicate that they have the tools to advance beyond Turkey?

Goals:
0-1 (0-0, 0-0, 0-1)
Shots:
10-19 (6-4, 2-8, 2-7)

Analysis:
Late GWG in the 58th minute: heartbreaking for Turkey.
But the stats show that Romania won the shots 15-4 in last two periods and thus earned the victory.
Turkey’s goalie Semin was excellent and the lone goal came from Poalelungi.

Denmark – Norway

Preview:
Denmark opened the EC with draws against Slovenia and Ukraine. Not that impressive. But they won against Germany and Moldavia and are probably happy to meet their neighbour in the Last 16.
Norway lost against Portugal (2-4) but won against Israel, Northern Ireland and Austria.
A prestigeous local derby where Denmark must be regarded as the favourite. But Norway will not go down easy so both NCs will have to dig deep to find a win.

Goals:
2-5 (0-0, 1-2, 1-3)
Shots:
10-22 (5-7, 4-5, 1-10)

Analysis:
Close game for 40 minutes but in the last period Norway had so much more in the tank and won easily against a surprisingly tired home team.

Finland – France

Preview:
Finland took a famous victory against Turkey and won their group easily. Can they build on that in the play offs?
France also won their group with wins against Greece and Netherlands but an inexplicably draw against the jumbo Hungary in the last round.
Did France rest in the last round or what? This ought to be a close contest but neither team can sit back in this game: who wants the win most?

Goals:
1-4 (0-0, 0-1, 1-3)
Shots:
10-18 (4-5, 3-6, 3-7)

Analysis:
France took advantage of Finlands fatigue in the last period when they scored two fast goals that decided the outcome of the game.

Sweden – Poland

Preview
Sweden won their group but drew with Switzerland before beating Bulgaria and Latvia. Sweden is longing for an international success…
Poland tied their group with Romania and are looking very strong. Poland is longing for an international success…
This will be a nervous encounter that might go to overtime. Or maybe one team will collapse under all the expectations. Time will tell.

Goals:
3-4 OT (1-0, 2-0, 0-3, 0-1)

Shots:
14-19 (3-9, 10-2, 1-7, 0-1)

Analysis:
The first period was dominated by Poland but Sweden sneaked away the lead in the 5th minute.
The second period saw the best hockey that Sweden played this tournament and two goals gave the home team a comfortable 3-0 cushion.
The third period was only Poland once again but this time they got the puck in the net three times in five minutes.
No surprise that the OT-goal came from Poland and all in all a well deserved victory for Poland.

Greece – Portugal

Preview:
Greece were second to France and are probably very content with that.
Portugal didn’t impress in the group stage where they lost against Austria (2-5). A win against Norway (4-2) took them to the play offs but now Portugal need to take advantage of a great draw.
Portugal ought to win quite easily.

Goals:
5-4 OT (1-1, 1-0, 2-3, 1-0)

Shots:
23-18 (6-4, 9-5, 4-8, 4-1)

Analysis:
Wow, what a crazy game! Greece surprised Portugal and had the lead with 2-1 after 40 minutes.
But the last period was pure helter skelter…
Portugal, determined to show their true colours, stormed forward to a 2-3 lead after two goals in 80 seconds (42nd and 44th minute).
And then they think that they won the game with 2-4 in the 51st.
But Greece doesn’t know surrender: they score on the last two shots of regulation and tie the game.
And, well deserved, they win in OT in the 67th minute. Portugal is still trying to understand what actually happened.

Switzerland – Belarus

Preview:
Switzerland played three even games in the group. A win (4-2) against Latvia but a bad draw against Bulgaria followed their impressive 1-1 against Sweden in round one.
Belarus beat Belgium 4-2 and Estonia 4-3. A loss against Italy and another win against Croatia. Pretty impressive all in all.
Belarus shouldn’t be that much of a underdog here. Switzerland need to step up to win but can they improve on thier effort in round one? They might have to.

Goals:
2-4 (0-1, 2-2, 0-1)

Shots:
18-17 (5-6, 5-7, 8-4)

Analysis:
Switzerland won the shots but trailed in goals from the 12th minute.
They scored 1-2 and 2-3 but was never able to solve Malakovich in the Belarus goal, who won the game for the visitors.

Spain – Slovenia

Preview:
Spain took three comfortable wins in the group stage including 4-1 against the Czechs.
Slovenia also won their group after a draw with Denmark and victories against Germany, Moldova and Ukraine.
Spain must win this game and they can hardly miss out on a medal with this schedule. Unless they can’t handle the pressure…

Goals:
9-0 (1-0, 2-0, 6-0)

Shots:
33-10 (15-0, 7-10, 11-0)

Analysis:
Spain put on a clinic and showed everyone how to dominate a MZH-game.
But Slovenia didn’t fold that easily and after 36 minutes it was still just 1-0.
And arguebly the visitor deserved a better outcome in the second period.
But in the third things got quite embarassing…

Belgium – Czech Republic

Preview:
Belgium eliminated Italy (2-1) and destroyed Estonia (10-2). But they suffered 2-4 against Belarus.
Czech won against Russia (3-2) but took a beating by Spain (1-4).
A very even contest and hard to pick a winner. But Belgium has scored a lot and that might be useful!

Goals:
1-3 (1-0, 0-0, 0-3)
Shots:
11-19 (2-7, 5-7, 4-5)

Analysis:
Belgium lucked in to an early lead and hold on desperately.
In the 51st the Czechs tied the game and then they won it with goals in the 57th and 60th.
Belgium had three straight shots on goal following 1-1 and this was a very hard fought match.

Last 8

Norway – Romania

1-7 (0-2, 0-4, 1-1)
6-28 (3-8, 1-11, 2-9)

Analysis:
Not very interesting, a very easy win for Romania.

Poland – France

3-5 (0-3, 3-0, 0-2)
21-17 (7-4, 7-6, 7-7)

Analysis:
A strang seesaw game where France scored at will on Poland, while Poland struggled with their efficiency.

Belarus – Greece

1-3 (1-0, 0-0, 0-3)
8-20 (2-9, 2-6, 4-5)

Analysis:
Greece built on their win against Portugal and dominated Belarus even though they waited with the scoring until the last ten minutes.

Czech Republic – Spain
2-5 (1-2, 1-2, 0-1)
12-20 (4-7, 6-9, 2-4)

Analysis:
Spain does make it seem easy. Going for gold?

Semifinals

France – Romania
1-5 (0-0, 0-4, 1-1)
7-25 (4-6, 1-10, 2-9)

Analysis:
France tried desperately to shut this game down but 0-1 in the 25th minute broke their dream of a final and allowed Romania rightfully to advance.

Spain – Greece
3-2 (1-1, 0-0, 2-1)
21-8 (9-1, 6-3, 6-4)

Analysis:
Once again Greece overpreforms. Spain take the lead but Greece ties the game with their only shot on goal in the first period.
The second period is quite even, and when the Spaniards take the lead again in the third period, Greece immediately equalizes.
The GWG comes in the 51st minute and Greece then finish the game with three more shots on the Spanish keeper.
Well deserved win for Spain but an excellent effort by Greece!

Final

Romania – Spain
2-1 (0-0, 1-0, 1-1)
15-14 (4-5, 6-1, 5-8)

Analysis:
A very even and great final between the two very best teams in this EC!
The first period is very tight. The second is Spain worst period of the playoffs.
The third sees Spain roaring back but they can’t deny Romania the late victory.
Immediately after the equalizer Spain surrender the GWG 2-1 in the.
Romania wins their third straight international trophy and truly rules the MZH-world!

Play Off Tree:

EC 2016 Rank:

EC 2016 Scoring Leaders:

Written by Prednibe

Endurance Cup – S50 – Ice Hockey

875 teams faced off in this season’s Endurance Cup with a first prize of 150k euros.
In the last eight there were two teams from Switzerland and one each from Sweden, Poland, Argentina, Brazil, France and Greece.

Quarter finals:

Victor Hockey Club – 1.ΧΑΤΖΗΚΥΡΙΑΚΕΙΟ

The Argentinian hosts couldn’t solve the Greek riddle in goal in the first period, 0-0.
But in the second they took an early lead in the 21st and built on it to a 3-0 cushion.
The home crowed cheered as they dominated the third period as well.

Final result: 6-1 (27-10)

WIDZEW ŁÓDŹ – Teemu Selänne HC

The Polish champions met up with the lone Swedish team in the last 8.
The first period was dismal with only 5 shots (1-4) and 0-0 in front of a sleeping audience.

WL got the crowd on their feet in the second period with two fast strikes. In a span of less than three minutes they took the lead with 2-0 in the middle of the period. But the Swedes didn’t surrender and came back to 2-2 after two goals from Hugon Mruk (yes, a Polish national sticking it to the home crowd).

The third period started out with four straight shots from WL but then the visitors took control with six straight shots of their own, including the GWG from Herman Ånger in the 55th minute.

Final result: 2-3 (12-13)

MENDACI SERVI – Spartak Alesia

The Swiss home team found themselves in the early lead against the French visitors.
1-0 after the first period, and not too much action in the second.

The third period started out with two shots from SPTK but then Mendaci closed out the game with three goals.
All in all an impressive performance!

Final result: 4-0 (21-11)

Pó de DiaManTe HMZ 4ÉveR – K12 Lions

The Brazilian host took on a Swiss team that found the net after exactly 9 minutes.
The first period ended 1-2 after POD tied the game but then allowed another goal in the minute after the equalizer.

The game was well balanced but in the second half of the middle period the home team exploded with three straight goals in 253 seconds of play.
4-2 entering the third period.

K12 took back the initiative in the match and scored four straight goals between the 47th and 55th minute.
POD scored a late goal in the 57th minute but it was to late.

Final result: 5-6 (12-18)

Semi finals:

Teemu Selänne HC – Victor Hockey Club

The Swedes were confident after their excellent quarterfinal but the visitors dominated the first period, winning the shots 1-11 and taking the lead 0-1.

The second period saw the home team fighting back but to no good result, instead Victor scored 0-2 on the last shot.

The third period was still quite even but Victor settled the result into 0-3 quite comfortably.

Final result: 0-3 (9-24)

MENDACI SERVI – K12 Lions

This Swiss encounter looked tight beforehand and it was very close.
Mendaci started out good and won a PP that didn’t result.
And then K12 took control and found a 0-2 lead after the first period.

Mendaci fought back and scored early and late in the second period to tie the game.

Once again in the third K12 took the lead but Mendaci tied it to finish regulation at 3-3.

In Over Time there was just one shot. From K12 after 2 minutes to win the game 3-4.

Final result: 3-4 OT (12-17)

Final:

K12 Lions – Victor Hockey Club

The final was in front of 11k spectators that hoped for a great game but a home win.
The first period was well played and exciting and finished 1-1 after an away lead.

The second period saw six straight shots from the home team but the crowed jeered as Victor scored two late goals to take the lead 1-3.

The third period found the home team broken and Victor had total control and scored 1-4 before giving away a 2-4 goal as a comfort to the gracious hosts.

Final result: 2-4 (19-14)

A great final to end an exciting cup with quite a lot of surprising results.
Congratulations to Victor HC and Argentina!

Play Off Tree:

Goalscorers:

Results:

Written by Prednibe

Friday the 13th Cup -S50 Edition

2189 teams faced off in the elimination cup Friday the 13th, including 332 Swedish clubs.
In the last eight there were three teams from Sweden and one each from Poland, Romania, Portugal, Netherlands and Slovakia.

Quarterfinals:

HC Chelmza Team – Filpea Bay Lightning

A very tight match with excellent goalies!
The shots were 3-6, 6-4, 3-8 for a total of 12-18 but that wasn’t enough for either team to score.
The game went to overtime and after 60 goalless minutes it only took the Romanians two minutes and one shot to finish the match.

Final result: 0-1 OT (12-19)

You´ll Never Walk Alone – Hoetentoeten & De Kliklak

The Swedish challenger from Division 1 hosted the Dutch elite team, but it was a close game.
The first period was scoreless, and the away team took the lead in the 27th.
The second period finished with two goals from the home side in one minute.
Hoe complained that the time had run out but after a lengthy discussion the 2-1-goal was allowed.

The furious visitors took a penalty and suffered another goal to 3-1 in the 45th.
But then they decided to play hockey and score some goals instead of sulking.
Hoe finished the game with nine (9) straight shots and tied the match in the 55th and had four excellent chances to win the game in regulation.

In Over Time they continued with four straight shots (in total 13 straight shots) to win the game in the 69th on a goal scored by Benny Bo Abbas…

Final result: 3-4 OT (21-24)

Lonis HC – Tallboda Tigers

In Portugal another Swedish Division 1 faced superior opposition.
But once again it was close.
It was scoreless until the 37th minute when Lonis took the lead.
In the 54th the home team insured the victory with 2-0 and wasn’t too bothered by a very late 2-1-goal in the 60th minute.

Final result: 2-1 (14-17)

Elvendale – GER-manners Trenčín

The Swedish Champion of S50 faced the classic Slovak opponent in another tight encounter.
The game was scoreless until the 28th minute when old-timer Lilja scored the opening goal.
The Slovaks answered with two of their own, but Elv could settle the game at 2-2 before the break.
The third period saw a barrage of shots from the visitors (2-7) but no goals.
In Over Time GER shot twice before surrendering on the home teams first effort.
The crowed roared and Elvendale was alive for the medal rounds.

Final result: 3-2 OT (13-21)

Semifinals:

Hoetentoeten & De Kliklak – Filpea Bay Lightning

Benny Bo Abbas was at it again and scored in the 10th minute to win the first period for the home team (1-0).
Filpea stroke back in the second and it was 1-1 after two periods.
The third period started with four straight shots from the Romanians and they could eke out a close victory.

Final result: 1-2 (12-12)

Lonis HC – Elvendale

Almost crashing out in the quarter finals obviously motivated Elvendale to a better effort in the semis.
Lonis didn’t stand any chance even though their goalie kept it close for 40 minutes (0-1).

Final result: 0-5 (4-25)

Final:

Elvendale – Filpea Bay Lightning

The final was in front of 13k spectators that hoped for a great game but a home win.
The first period was well played and exciting and finished 0-0.

It was a close game but the deciding factor was Alvar Frostgaard who scored in the 26th and 56th minute.
Also important was the seasoned goalie Peder Paulin, famous from the national team and SSK.
Filpea couldn’t score and had to settle for silver.

Final result: 2-0 (13-15)

A great final to end an exciting knock out cup with lots of OT-decisions!
Congratulations to Elvendale!

Play Off Tree:

Goalscorers:

Results:

Written by Prednibe

 

Interview with Elsacco by Prednibe

TZ-Sweden’s interview with elsacco (Yampi Sound H.C.), Romanias Icehockey NC.

1. Congratulations on your win in the World Cup!

Thank you very much. It’s a great honor for me to be invited to this interview for the oldest and greatest TZ on the planet.

2. What is your history like on MZ? Most important triumphs?

I started playing MZ with my Football team in the 13th of January 2007 (9 years ago). I liked MZ from the start and 9 months later, on the 14th of October, I began to play hockey as well. On the way, I realized that, even if it was new to me, it turned out to be even more exciting, soon to become a passion.
Currently, I am proud to be in the Top National League in both sports, 3-times hockey National Champion and, most important, I was given the honor to be elected NC for both Football and National Teams.
I am glad that I managed to reward the Community’s trust by winning the U21 Football World Cup 2015 and the Hockey World Cup 2015, the last definitely being the most important triumph for me and the Romanian Community (I couldn’t have done it without them).

3. Where does the WC in hockey rank among those wins?

Winning the World Cup is huge for us. It’s the absolute triumph for the Romanian Community, which I want to thank, especially because we are a small community, but very united. All the members help the National Teams by following a well-established player growth plan and I want to thank each and every one of them.
And last but not least, I want to thank the Romanian NT Staff, some of the most dedicated managers in the world, like @alex_b, @nik2780 and @mihairo.

4. What were your thoughts during the final? Did everything go as planned and which players were most important?

Winning the World Cup Final was a unique moment for us and we enjoyed every moment ☺ We cannot say that we planned this, we started with very small chances, but we did everything in our power to find the best tactic in every match.
In the Final, our best players were Remus Medeleanu (H.C Boca Unidos), with a goal and assist, Ovidiu Poalelungi and Iulian Magheru (both from Shen al Calhar), Robert Răchită (BURNABY JOE), who has played 658 international matches for the Romanian National Team, and the forever-young Iau Ciubuc (479 NT caps, a survivor of the famous generation grown by @alex_b at Phoenix Baia Mare).

5. Which game besides the final was special for you? Any opposition that was especially tough?

We started the road in the World Cup with a defeat, 0-4 vs. Denmark. There was a lot of work to be done. After Denmark losing to the USA, every match became a Final for us. The hardest part was to qualify from the group. We needed a 3 goal win vs. USA and we won 7-1, a very special win for us, indeed. The victories against Germany, Argentina, Turkey and Poland were truly historical for us.

6. How did you choose which tactic to use and how important are tactics to you?

Tactics were key-elements for every opponent. The difficult part for us was to find the right chemistry in each of the 4 lines, most of our players being affected by deteriorations. We studied our opponents to find their strengths and weaknesses. We analyzed hundreds of matches.
In the end, the joy of wining the World Cup trophy exceeded the effort.

7. Do you prefer football or icehockey on MZ? Why?

Both have their fun parts and their special joys. In this moment, the Romanian Hockey National Team is the most important project for me. We will try to defend with honor this 2015 World Title.

8. What is your next goal on MZ?

I put aside personal ambitions for the club team in both sports to help the Football National Team as NCA and the Hockey National Team as NC in our goal to win another trophy for the Romanian Community.

9. Any final thoughts on the WC? Or on MZ in general?

I enjoyed every moment, including your interview!
I hope you all enjoy MZ as much as I do.
I wish you all the best!