The Euro Hockey League has come to England, with East Grinstead hosting the second round of the initial round-robin stage. It was a great chance to watch and observe some of Europe's (and the world's) best goalkeepers in person.
The St. Germain and KHC Dragons warm-ups demonstrated a better approach for the goalkeepers to prepare for their game. Manu Leroy and his counterpart started off kicking the ball between each other, before having high balls flicked at him in quick succession and then taking shots from the team, as did Julien Thamain and his counterpart warm up in a similar fashion before moving to short corners. Thamin was weating a new colour combo of TK 'softies' and has switched from a helmet-cage combo to a TK mask, whilst Leroy seemed to be wearing an Obo elbow pad on his right arm, under his jersey (although he normally goes without any arm protection). The Kelburne warm-up had Barrows practising kicker and glove work, with an interesting approach of having balls thrown at him, before team shots to warm up. Barrows was using the smaller profile TK rhp, a similar trend with some of the other Scottish national league goalkeepers. Weinhold seemed to practise with an up tempo approach, starting off with low shots and working high, before taking shots, whilst his counterpart warmed up separately and they took short corner practises in turns.
I was only able to catch the first two games, but was able to watch Bloemendaal and Lille warm up. The Lille goalkeeper had an interesting approach, doing static and dynamic stretches before doing plymetric drills and some skipping work before he padded up (a more disciplined approach than the rest I felt). Dierckens used a more Australian style 'X stance', with wide legs and gloves up to head height in the warm-up, confidently stopping high balls. He was also had good reach with his legs, lunging for shots with good rebound control. He has switched from Obo to the Mercian pro range, except for the TK rhp he still uses. Stockman, wearing the kit from the recent Olympics, started off like Leroy, without helmet, taking low paced shots, before moving on to short corner practises, rotating with his counterpart. Bloemendaal's reserve also made use of a Brabo lhp (presumably for the zippier rebound), aside from his overall Obo kit.
The following is a brief attempt at analysing the goalkeepers' game play, in a would-be scouting report.
Match performances:
Barrows
Could have been more active with his rhp, over rotating to the glove side against one short corner. Went down, leaving himself out of the play against another. Most shots seemed to come from short corners, which against a side like Cologne were expected to be threatening. Not a poor performance by any means but could have been better against such a top side as Cologne. Made saves from solid positioning and seemed more solid and confident than in his first appearance in the EHL.
3 out of 5
Weinhold
Didn't have much to do, only being beaten against a shot wide of him which he had committed to blocking to. Kicked away when needed.
4 out of 5 (not much to do!)
Schlich
Made good saves at the short corners at the end of the game, making sure he was unbeaten in his cameo appearance.
3 out of 5 (again, very little to do!)
Thamin
Seens to have cut down his very active and often over aggressive indoor style of game, although he was ready to come off his line when needed. Could have slid out to block the shot that went between his legs.
3 out of 5
Leroy
Possibly could have challenged more against the goal scored against the run of play. Interestingly comes out of his D at times, reflecting a commanding presence. Got lucky with a dummy to let the ball off the pitch when he was roaming around looking to press a free opposition forward.
4 out of 5
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