Hockey: Tough tests for Scots sides on Euro trail

THE reputation of Scottish club hockey in Europe has diminished over the recent years – there is now no representation in the elite EuroLeague – but Glynhill Kelburne and Grove Menzieshill hope to reverse the trend by picking up valuable points in their respective men’s and women’s European Club Champions Trophy over the Easter weekend.

Kelburne travel to Lille to play HC Roma (Italy) today, then Whitchurch (Wales) and SV Arminen (Austria) in the pool competition, with the winner only going into Monday’s final.

“This a tough format with four games in as many days against hardened European opposition. I’ve seen footage of Roma and Whitchurch who will provide their own challenge for us, but I would anticipate the final pool match against the Austrians to be the crucial encounter,” said Mark Ralph, Kelburne’s player coach.

Playing under pressure is not something the Paisley side have been used to during the domestic season as Kelburne won the league title with a perfect record until last weekend’s 3-1 defeat by Grange.

“You have to have the correct attitude going into these tough European games,” said manager Harry Coles.

Kelburne will travel to Lille with a squad of 16, although there are still lingering injury concerns over David Forsyth and Craig Morton.

Grove have a similar tough assignment in Belfast with the pair of Victorya Smolevichi (Belarus) and MSC Sumchanka (Ukraine) along with Libertas San Saba (Italy).