Friday, 29 March 2013

Euro Hockey League KO16 day one thoughts

After following all the games of the day via the livestream and posting analysis on Twitter like you'd find often in football or ice hockey etc. I'm feeling pretty exhausted and too lazy to day a write-up of every single game. In terms of the goalkeepers on show, goalkeeper of the day had to be between James Bailey, Pirmin Blaak or Romain Henet. Wasn't particularly impressed by the others who either didn't have much to do or didn't bring their 'A game'. Bailey was very athletic, making some strong diving and aerial stops, whilst also getting back with agility, playing with an intensity that wasn't really matched; getting straight back up to get across on a corner chance for example. Blaak put in a world class performance and was unlucky to lose in the penalty shootout. Romain is only 18 and played and looked much older and more assured than that. Playing at this level already, he has the chance to develop into a real elite talent for club and perhaps even country; with youth on his side, he has more time and opportunity to evolve as he ages and matures.

Other than that, didn't get the old school approach from the Irish goalkeepers. I was a little confused by the style of both Tomrey and Campbell at Lisnagarvey, both playing a low stance with hands down out of the play. A little confused by the 'double coverage' as you're more likely going to be facing raised shots or flicks at that level more than anything else and is going to be harder to get your gloves up and out to stop shots from that position.

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