08.01.2012: GEC Ritter Nordhorn - Gijs Bears Groningen 1:0

Euregio Cup

Ice Rink, Nordhorn (Germany)

(Pentax K-5 with Tamron SP AF 17-50mm 2.8 XR Di II LD Asp IF and Sigma AF 50-150mm 2.8 EX DC APO HSM II)

The first game of the new founded Euregio Cup should take place at Nordhorn and the opponent should be the Gijs Bears Groningen. The cup shall be established as a fixture where German and Dutch teams could compete during the period free of play.
With the Dutch second division team the first time a team playing at the same level with the Regionalliga Nord dominating Nordhorn Ritter was guest. But directly from the start the Ritter showed who is the boss. The team play was perfectly working and so very fast the first opportunities came up who could only be defeated by the good goalie of the Groningen team. The first highlight was set by Karel Horak who hit the bar after a good play of Kalawarny. It was also him who scored the lead for Nordhorn in minute 8.
The game was played very decent until the mid of the first period where it came to a struggle getween Horak and the Groningen player Kerstholt. Horak was beforehand heavily checked into the boards and only with difficulties the referees were able to stop the struggle. Both players got their penalties. First game misconducts were set against both but after an intervention of the Groningen captain who appelled towards the friendly game charachter was refused and changed into a 2+2 penalty. Afterwards the GEC had some opportunities but nothing countable resulted from them.
During the first break the Groningen players decided that the not given game misconduct was a wrong decision and claimed to take Karle Horak out of the game because of not being acceptable due to his extremely tough way of playing. Long discussions followed and with 10 minutes delay the second period finally started. But that did not last for a long time because only after a few minutes the Groningen goalie stormed out of his goal, went with the rest of the team into the cabin and declared the game to be over.
In my point of view a very unpleasent gesture of the Dutch who did themselves and their association comparable to their heraldic animal a bad turn. Disappointed and with loud whistles against the Groningen players the visitors left the ice rink and so it needs to be thought of how to continue the young Euregio-Cup. Media spokesmen Tollhuysen announced that they will seek talks with the Groningen team but if not possible to find another solution a best-of-3 tournament against Heerenveen will be played. So this wonderful started evening ended too early with a negative connotation.

Score:

GEC Ritter Nordhorn - Gijs Bears Groningen 1:0 (1:0 / cancl.)

8. / 1:0 / Karel Horak

Weblinks:

	GEC Die Ritter Nordhorn Homepage of the German icehockey team GEC Die Ritter Nordhorn.
	Gijs Bears Groningen Homepage of the Dutch icehockey team Gijs Bears Groningen.
	Ice Rink Nordhorn Homepage of the Ice Rink at Nordhorn (Germany).

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