Waterloo Ducks – Braxgata 3-2
The line-ups are somewhat reworked, Braxgata takes to the field without Loïck Luypaert who has to rest his knee after this intense season both at club and national level, Mazzilli is also injured. On the Watducks side, Nicolas Dumont attends the meeting in civilian clothes.
T. Bikens prevents Wilbers from entering the Boom circle first, but it is Walter who is the first guard to be called upon. There is a lot of play between the two circles, but still few intrusions into the dangerous surface. The defensive line of Braxgata, without its pillar Luypaert, must take its marks when it is directly put under pressure, in particular by Dykmans. It is therefore very often the entire group that comes down to support the teammates. At the quarter of an hour, Walter released an impressive double save as he was harassed by the Watducks attackers. A few moments later, Bordas serves Van Bavel who is at the point of stroke, but the ball arrives behind his back. The first goal falls just before the end of the quarter time, it is Wilbers who deflects the center which is addressed to him. It’s 1-0 for the Watducks.
The first real opportunity for the boomois comes from the stick of Nelson Onana, who is in position to arm a backhand shot as soon as he enters the circle. Vandenbroucke must deflect the shot above his cages. The first pc of the game is given to Braxgata, Clément’s shot finished in the goal, but above the board, so it’s still Watducks who lead to the mark. A second pc is whistled for the Brax, and this one is conclusive, the test of Van Cleynenbreugel deceives Vandenbroucke. While the Braxgata starts a banana, Ghislain remained attentive and intercepts the ball between two exchanges. He finds himself alone in the circle, but faced with 5 Brax players, he cannot arm a shot and continues his race to the end line where he is also prevented. He ultimately gets nothing. While there are 45 seconds left, Willems is pushed violently and voluntarily by Van Biesen, Céline Martin-Schmets does not hesitate for a moment and whistles stroke. Willems scores Watducks’ second goal.
Half-time resumed at top speed, from the throw-in ball, Onana received a pass at the stroke point, his back to the goal but blindly armed a powerful shot, Vandenbroucke suffered, more than he don’t push the ball. The Braxgata begin a more offensive period, for 5 minutes, they are present in the side of the Waterloo field. The Watducks do not appreciate being cornered in this way, and regain possession of the match by imposing their rhythm and their spirit on the field, in particular by making themselves heard by the referees. For example on Adriaensen’s map which would have deserved to be yellow according to Gauthier Boccard. The coolness of Léon Van Steerteghem certainly saves the Braxgata from an irretrievable score.
There are 17 minutes and 30 seconds left for Braxgata to return to the game or for Watducks to win a bronze medal, depending. This last quarter is already interrupted for the second time following players who remained on the ground after contact with the ball. The Watducks is very high and pushes the Braxgata to its limits, let us underline for example the occasion of Dykmans. There are just over 6 minutes left, when the Braxgata get their 3rd pc of the game. This one is rather poorly given and initially gives rise to a second attempt. Finally Germain Boutte indicates to his colleague that there is no reason to grant a second try. The ball is released. Three minutes from the end, Braxgata released its goalkeeper, and we saw Ghislain go camping in the Braxgata circle. This technique, allowing to be in numerical superiority at the end of the game, is often used but rarely conclusive. This is not the case today, Braxgata takes advantage of this double overcrowding, remember that Ghislain is on the other side of the field, to come back to score, it’s 2-2 and there is little time left. It is Rossi who gives hope to his people. But this hope is very short-lived, the Watducks get their first pc on the wire, and Charlet converts the try, it’s finally 3-2 final score. The Watducks leaves bronze medalist.
Watducks: Vandenbroucke; Van Marcke, VanOost, Boccard, Charlotte, Van Strydonck; Wilbers; Willems, Depelsenaire, Ghislain then Backer, Lemaire, Esquelin, Sidler, Dykmans
Braxgata: Walter; Clement, Loots, O. Biekens, Van Cleynenbreugel; Adriansen, Van Bavel, Rossi, T. Biekens; Onana, de Voogd, Bordas, then De Ridder, Van Biesen, Walker, Van Bavel, Van Steerteghem,
Referees : Miss C. Martin-Schmets and Mr. G. Boutte
Green cards : 45th Adriaensen, 69th De Backer
The goals : 17th Wilbers (1-0), 26th Van Cleynenbreugel (1-1), 34th Willems on stroke (2-1), 68th Rossi (2-2), 70th Charlet on pc (3-2)
Penalty Corner : Watducks (1/1) Braxgata (1/4)
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