Wales teams start strongly in EuroHockey qualifiers
Wales' women won one and drew two of their three games against Malaysia earlier this month
- Published
Wales started the EuroHockey qualifiers strongly, with the men putting an amazing 17 goals past Luxembourg in Dublin while the women also impressed with a 7-0 win over Croatia in Glasgow.
Each game was the start of a knockout tournament, with the women’s event running until 24 August and the men finishing the following day.
The overall winners will qualify for the European A division in 2025.
Wales women face Czechia on Saturday in the semi-finals (12:00 BST), while the men also play Czechia at the same time.
The women’s squad is unchanged from their recent victory against Malaysia in the Summer Series.
"I am hoping we continue to take a positive approach to the way we are trying to play the game and use this tournament as a key stepping stone towards further progression for a group whose potential is exciting to work with," said women’s head coach Kevin Johnson.
The men’s squad are aiming to build on their summer series win against Austria.
“We have a tricky route to a potential final with Ireland, but the possibility of another A division in 2025 is a huge motivation to put in some big performances next week,” said captain Ben Francis.
Owain Dolan-Gray is on course to receive his 150th Wales cap in Dublin, while women’s goalkeeper Ella Jackson is set to reach 50 caps for her country in Glasgow.
Wales women's squad: Anja Atkin, Beth Bingham (capt), Amy Cradden. Rebecca Daniel, Ava Dempsey, Freya Diamond, Rachel Goodwin, Millie Holme, Livvy Hoskins, Izzie Howell, Ella Jackson, Holly Munro, Maisie Riley, Lauren Roberts, Lily Roberts, Emily Rowlands, Betsan Thomas, Caitlin Witham.
Wales men’s squad: Toby Reynolds-Coterrill, Jack Tranter, Daniel Kyriakides, Hywel Jones, Owen Sutton, Jamie Rawlings, Rhys Bradshaw, Fred Newbold, Gareth Griffiths, Ben Francis (capt), Will Penrose, Rhodri Furlong, Nic Morgan, Dale Hutchinson, Alf Dinnie, Jack Pritchard, Jolyon Morgan, Owain Dolan Gray.