Middle cross finals differ

The cross final games to decide who will play for fifth or sixth place and who for seventh or eigth in the 2012 korfball Europa Cup were two different games. The game between Czech champion Kolin and a squad basically being the Russian national squad ends in a clear victory for Kolin, just two months after Russia beats Czech Republic in the World Championships. Adler Rauxel on the other hand has a strong finish against Catalan squad CK Vallparadis, seeing the Catalans taking a well deserved win.

Kolin and HSS State University begin level in scoring until 3-3. Then Kolin takes a lead that keeps alternating between three and two goals for most of the first half. Half time score is 12-10 and all seems possible, knowing that the Russians usually need time to get into the rhythm of playing. HSS does get to 12-12, but then Kolin rushes to 17-12 and Russia substitutes one the main shooter from one of their zones. After this the game is dominated by Kolin, with them going to 24-15 and a late goal by veteran Razina making the final score 24-16. A big blow in the face for Russia and a recovery from the Czech side.

The game between CK Vallparadis and Adler Rauxel shows quite an opposite progress. The Catalans dominate the score most of the game. With a half time advantage of 13-6, the game seems clearly in the pocket of CK Vallparadis and Adler missing any answer to the Iberian playing style. All looks good until the last ten minutes, when Adler starts a final offensive, led by Holtkotte with two goals. This fails to turn the tide, but gives a much closer end result of 20-17 after a game clearly dominated by CK Vallparadis.

This leads to the game for seventh place going between Russia and Adler Rauxel. Knowing the Russians, always having problems with German squads and having no motivation to play for seventh place, will probably be won by Adler Rauxel. The game for fifth place will be between CK Vallparadis and Kolin, with Vallparadis having the best papers for victory.