The final 12 representing Scotland at the men’s EuroHockey Nations Indoor Trophy in Poznan, Poland 15-17 January 2010 have been named by head coach Russell Garcia today.
“After a brief build up programme and training sessions this weekend we’ve put together a comprehensive final squad. There is a good mix in this squad, with six outdoor players and six indoor specialists, and a really strong team spirit. Due to circumstances, we weren’t able to play a tournament or many competitive matches before the Trophy, and recent weather conditions have disrupted training, but the guys are keen to make the effort and go for it,” explained Garcia.
Despite some setbacks, including David and Allan Forsyth (Kelburne) falling out of the line up due to injury, Garcia is focused on progress made: “Technically we’ve moved on from where we started and we’ve developed further tactics. This is a good group of guys.”
The Scots head into the Trophy after racking up two impressive wins over Wales, boasting score lines of 8-3 and 5-1, earlier this month in Perth. However, Scotland, who are currently ranked sixth and two slots ahead of England, have their work cut out for them as they hosted four challenging international matches against their southern neighbours in late December.
No doubt other competitors, such as number one ranked Switzerland, will arrive in Poznan with determination too as an Indoor World Cup qualification spot is up for grabs. The final men’s qualification place, seventh in Europe, will go to the winner of the Trophy. If hosts Poland, who also play host to the Indoor World Cup, qualify as winners of the Trophy, then the second placed team in the competition will take the final qualification position.
Scotland start the Trophy with a double header, taking on hosts Poland at 11:30 (CET) followed by Sweden at 14:45 (CET) on Friday, 15th January. First at the pitch on Saturday, Scotland face the Slovak Republic at 10:50 (CET) before pool stages start that afternoon.
