Albatros from Germany wins Eighth International Tournament in Stadskanaal – The Netherlands.

The Stadskanaal international indoor tournament was more international than ever: of the eight participants, seven teams came from abroad. Two pools of four teams battled for the Exchange Trophy. The preliminary rounds led to finals day, in front of plenty of spectators.

In the game for place seven and eight, Scotland overcame Swedish club SKK Stockholm to avoid finishing as the team to prop up the tournament.

The game to decide fifth place was very close, finishing even between Wales and Luxemburg. After two series of penalties Luxembourg held their nerve best for an encouraging win.

Next up, in the bronze medal match, TuS Wesseling and Slovakia played an open game. TuS Wesseling were on top for most of the game and appeared set to clinch a German victory. In the last few minutes though, Slovakia found some form to take a thin but decisive margin.

In the final, host Stadskanaal ’74 took on Albatros. Defence was dominant at both ends. In the last period superior shooting by Albatros won the game and the tournament.

Final placings:
1. Albatros
2. Stadskanaal ’74
3. Slovakia
4. TuS Wesseling
5. Luxembourg
6. Wales
7. Scotland
8. SKK Stockholm

WALES TAKES REVENGE ON SLOVAKIA

Following the Stadskanaal tournament, on Sunday 8 November the two Euro bowl winners went into battle in the first of three international games. These teams know each other well and by halftime the completely sold out indoor sports centre could not separate them, with the score locked at 7-7. Early in the second half, Wales pulled away to lead 10-7, but Slovakia responded well and with a few minutes remaining had brought the score back to 10-9. Each team scored one more, and with the clock ticking down, at 11-10 anything was possible. Late in the game, Slovakia missed a good running in shot and had no answer as Wales scored to decide the game: 12-10.

SWEDEN ACHIEVES FIRST VICTORY AT THE EXPENSE OF SCOTLAND

The second international, between the inexperienced Swedish team and Scotland, was a very emotional game. This had all the elements that make korfball an attractive and unique sport. During the first half the two teams were relatively equal. Sweden missed a number of chances and Scotland went into a 5-2 lead. Ten minutes into the second half, and Scotland was still ahead: 6-3. The Swedish team, inspired by their many supporters on the tribunes, came back to even the score at 6-6 with five minutes left, then scored another two minutes later to lead by 6-7. Scotland was not finished though, and equalized. In the last minutes Sweden was not to be denied its place in the record books, and scored again, making the referee’s final whistle a signal that history had been made: Sweden had won its first ever international 7-8.

LUXEMBOURG POSES A CHALLENGE FOR WALES

The third international match, between Luxembourg and Wales, was a good one. For a long time the teams traded goal for goal. In the second half Luxembourg played very well and did a good job, with Wales taking the lead several times only to have it pegged back. In the last few minutes, though, Wales drew clear, going two up for an eventual 13-11 win.

Host club Stadskanaal ’74 have a good event to look back on.