Closing Ceremony

All the teams are following their flags on to the pitch.

They are lining up in the order that they finished the tournament

1 Ireland (Promoted)

2 Russia (Promoted)

3 Wales

4 Czech Republic

5 Scotland

6 Belarus

7 Italy (Relegated)

8 Switzerland (Relegated)

The presentation party consisting of Martin Gotheridge (President, EHF), Anne Ellis (President, Welsh Hockey Union), Councillor Arwell Jones (Mayor of Wrexham), Professor Kate Sullivan (Pro Vice Chancellor, Glyndwr University). Leslie Griffiths (Welsh Assembly Member).

Anne Ellis address the massed crowed. Giving her thanks to all those who have made the tournament very successful.

Announcer announces that the top five nations have qualified for the World Cup Qualifying Rounds.

The following awards are given

Fair Play - Switzerland –presented by Anne Ellis
Player of the tournament – Alexander KOROLEV (Russia) presented by Leslie Griffiths
Goalkeeper of the tournament – Filip NEUSSER (Czech Republic) presented by Anne Ellis
Bronze Medal Team – Wales come up and receive their medals from Guido Braca (TD) and Mike Leatt (CEO WHU)
Silver Medal Team – Russia come up and receive their medals from Anne Ellis (WHU President) and Professor Kate Sullivan (Pro Vice Chancellor, Glwyndwr University)

Gold Medal Team – Ireland come up and receive their medals from Martin Gotheridge (EHF President) and Councillor Arwell Jones (Mayor of Wrexham). Captain comes up to receive the trophy from Martin Gotheridge.

Its over

All thats left now is the presentation ceremony - I will post a blog report as it happens - should be in about 5 minutes.

FT: Ireland 2 v Russia 1

Last minute - Russians are throwing everything at the Irish but to no avail. With seconds left the Irish are in corner. Hit out to Russia - thrown up field - thats it all over the hooter goes - IRELAND win.

65 mins: Ireland 2 v Russia 1

PENALTY CORNER to Russia - will they or wont they? - the wont off the first but have another chance, 2nd PENALTY corner forces save by keeper - but they get a third PENALTY CORNER which is charged down and cleared.

64 mins: Ireland 2 v Russia 1

With both teams down to ten the game has really opened up now with the Russians needing to attack to get the equalising goal.

61 mins: Ireland 2 v Russia 1

YELLOW CARDS - Ireland no 11 - John JERMYN, and Russian no 3 Ilya LARIKOVA

59 mins: Ireland 2 v Russia 1

The interplay between the Irish wide players is paying off they are making massive inroads into the Russian defence.

58 mins: Ireland 2 v Russia 1

Russian attack breaks down and the Irish attack - shot hits the outside of the post and goes out of play.

55 mins: Ireland 2 v Russia 1

GOAL - no 11 John JERMYN -thunderous shot from the top of the D leaves the goalkeeper no chance of saving.

54 mins: Ireland 1 v Russia 1

Irish attack the Russians again - however, it is not running for them today with the forward not able to control it.

50 mins: Ireland 1 v Russia 1

Aerial ball is mis-controlled by the Irish full back which leaves the Russian winger in - Russia win a long corner which the Irish deal with comfortably.

49 mins: Ireland 1 v Russia 1

YELLOW CARD - Russia No 5 - Alexander KOROLEV

46 mins: Ireland 1 v Russia 1

Both teams are battling out for midfield possession.

41 mins: Ireland 1 v Russia 1

Russian attack is well dealt with by the Irish defence, the Irish counter only to be closed down well by the Russians.

38 mins: Ireland 1 v Russia 1

Irish pull ball back to the top of the D and there is a shot on goal on - but he kicks it.

36 mins: Ireland 1 v Russia 1

2nd half starts with the Irish in possession.

HT: Ireland 1 v Russia 1

31 mins: Ireland 1 v Russia 1

Irish loft the ball in from a crossing position which is palmed away. From the resulting play Ireland are awarded a PENALTY CORNER. Can they improve on the last effort - GOAL Irish no John JERMYN - low and hard to the bottom left.

30 mins: Ireland 0 v Russia 1

A misplace pass from the Irish allows the Russians to gain some ground and possession. They run through on goal but collides with the outcoming keeper.

29 mins: Ireland 0 v Russia 1

GREEN CARD - Ireland no 8 Sephen BUTLER

28 mins: Ireland 0 v Russia 1

Ireland seem to be winning the midfield battle and advance far enough to get a PENALTY CORNER. Unfortunately the pressure must be starting to get to them as the push out only travelled about a foot. Russia came in and cleared.

25 mins: Ireland 0 v Russia 1

Its hotting up now - Ireland have another chance but the advancing goalkeeper closing down the Irish attack stops the goal.

22 mins: Ireland 0 v Russia 1

PENALTY CORNER to Ireland - can the pull the goal back - no a mis-control and the edge of the D breaks down the corner attempt. Russia break but Ireland defend well.

19 mins: Ireland 0 v Russia 1

PENALTY CORNER to the Irish, mid air shot saved by the goalkeeper for a long corner.

16 mins: Ireland 0 v Russia 1

The Irish are pinning the Russians back in their own half. Russian attacks are getting rarer as they look to defend their lead.

14 Mins: Ireland 0 v Russia 1

Latest Irish attack is thwarted by the Russian defence.

10 Mins: Ireland 0 v Russia 1

Ireland attack - 3 on 2 - but fail to make efforts pay. The resulting long corner play is dealt with by the Russian goalkeeper.

8 Mins: Ireland 0 v Russia 1

PENALTY CORNER to Ireland as clearance by the Russians hit defenders foot on the way out of the D. Shot is stopped by the foot of the goalkeeper.

6 Mins: Ireland 0 v Russia 1

GOAL - Russia no 30 - Alexandre PLANTONOV, scores from a reverse stick shot from an impossible angle.

2 Mins: Ireland 0 v Russia 0

Game is very open in the starting couple of minutes. Both teams equally matched and are knocking the ball around very nicely.

Game 20: THE FINAL: IRELAND v RUSSIA

Starting Line Ups

Ireland: John JACKSON, Ronan GORMLEY (C), Stephen BUTLER, Joe BREENAN, John JERMYN, Eugene MAGEE, Graham SHAW, Timothy COCKRAM, Alan SOTHERN, Tim LEWIS, David HARTE.

Russia: Evgeny MOKOUSOV, Alexey SERGEEV, Alexander KOROLEV, Alexander ZHIRKOV, Dmitry VOLKOV, Sergey KOSTAREV, Timour NIKOLAEV, Roman ROGOV, Yaroslav LOGINOV, Alexandre PLANTONOV (C), Alexander CHERENKOV

Umpires: Juan Manuel REQUENA & Francesco PARISI

FT: Wales 5 Czech Rep 2

Czechs bounce out of compeition in 4th place - Wales finish in third place.

70+: Wales 5 v Czech Republic 2

PENALTY CORNER to Czech Republic - Hooter has gone Wales have won but still need to defend the corner, all the Czechs are up around the D. Keeper saves.

68 Mins: Wales 5 v Czech Republic 2

PENALTY CORNER - Czech Republic - cleared well by the Welsh Defence, however, another PENALTY CORNER awarded - Welsh clear and counter attack.

65 Mins: Wales 5 v Czech Republic 2

Czechs work the ball out well from a defensive position.

61 Mins: Wales 5 v Czech Republic 2

Game has now really opened up - wales are trying to overcome conceding the goal and have a free hit 5m outside the D. Unfortunately comes to nothing.

59 Mins: Wales 5 v Czech Republic 2

Czech Republic are attacking trying to get a goal back and have earned themselves a PENALTY CORNER - GOAL Czech Republic after a very inventive routine no 10 - Jakub KYNDL puts ball into top corner.

56 Mins: Wales 5 v Czech Republic 1

PENALTY CORNER to Wales - GOAL - no 17 Rick GAY

53 Mins: Wales 4 v Czech Republic 1

PENALTY CORNER - to the Welsh - Wales drive the ball in and are badly axed down - Umpire awards a PENALTY STROKE. GOAL - no 14 - Rhys JOYCE slots it home.

49 Mins: Wales 3 v Czech Republic 1

YELLOW CARD - no 7 - Joe NAUGHALTY, 5 minutes suspension indicated by the umpire

PENALTY CORNER - Czech Republic - hit against Welsh legs - 2nd PENALTY CORNER

47 Mins: Wales 3 v Czech Republic 1

PENALTY CORNER to Wales - can they extend their lead? - GOAL - no 17 Rick GAY.

42 Mins: Wales 2 v Czech Republic 1

Wales keeping possession with their rear guard passing between them - they now push up the field but to no avail.

41 Mins: Wales 2 v Czech Republic 1

Wales free hit just inside the 25 - both attempts to get the ball in the D are blocked and the Czechs come away with a free hit.

40 Mins: Wales 2 v Czech Republic 1

First five minutes of the 2nd half have been relatively even.

36 Mins: Wales 2 v Czech Republic 1

2nd half starts

HT: Wales 2 v Czech Republic 1

A good half leaves it very nicely balanced for the second half.

32 Mins: Wales 2 v Czech Republic 1

GOAL - Czech no 12 David VACEK slots in a goal despite some resolute Welsh defending.

31 Mins: Wales 2 v Czech Republic 0

following a series of axe men challenges Welsh no 17 - Rick GAY receives a GREEN CARD.

30 Mins: Wales 2 v Czech Republic 0

Czechs Republic pressure the Welsh defence but it holds out. A quick free hit is punished as it is taken too close the the D.

26 Mins: Wales 2 v Czech Republic 0

For the first time in the game the intensity has dropped as the Czechs try and play the ball out from the back - Wales regain possession and counter attack.

23 Mins: Wales 2 v Czech Republic 0

GREEN CARD - no 14 Rhys JONES

22 Mins: Wales 2 v Czech Republic 0

A second GOAL for Wales - very similar to the last one ball drilled in and a touch in the D by Welsh 20 deflected it into the goal.

19 Mins: Wales 1 v Czech Republic 0

Wales seem to have had the majority of the chances - A ball hit in from the left is touched into the goal by Welsh no 12 Lewis PROSSER - GOAL!!!!!

16 Mins: Wales 0 v Czech Republic 0

Reverse stick shot by the Welsh takes out cameraman standing in video tower behind goal.

12 Mins: Wales 0 v Czech Republic 0

So far the game is very open game so far with both sides attacking. A bad stick challenge on the top of the D gives Wales a PENALTY CORNER - shot is deflected wide for a long corner.

9 Mins: Wales 0 v Czech Republic 0

Wales break into the D and the shot goes into the goal - however, umpire has already blown whistle for a stick tackle against Wales.

6 Mins: Wales 0 v Czech Republic

a mazy run by Nick REES through the Czech defence leads to a long corner - unfortunately possession given away cheaply.

4 Mins: Wales 0 v Czech Republic

A good Welsh attack down the right hand side results in the ball going out for a long corner.

2 Mins: Wales 0 v Czech Republic

Despite Wales taking the push back they are soon under pressure from the Czech attack.

0 Mins: Wales 0 v Czech Republic

Teams have lined up for the anthems - shaken hands - GAME ON

Game 19: 3/4th Place Playoff - Wales v Czech Republic

Starting Line-ups

Wales: George HARRIS, Peter Swainson, Chris BOWEN, Joe NAUGHALTY, Andy CORNICK, Lewis PROSSER, Rhys JOYCE, Rick GAY, Nick REES, James HUGHES, Rufus McNAUGHT-BARRINGTON.

Czech Republic: Tomas HANUS, Marek TRAVNIK, Pavel BARTA, Tomas PROCHAZKA, Stephan BERNATEK, Ondrej VUDMASKA, Ladislav CECH, Jakub KYNDL, Daniel PITERAK, David VACEK, MArtin LEHOVEC, Ondrej TUREK.

Umpires: Thomas LINGG & Konstantin BARAVINSKI

FT: Belarus 1 v Scotland 2

67 mins: Belarus 1 v Scotland 2

Belarus attacks are getting few and far between as Scotland pile on the pressure.

63 mins: Belarus 1 v Scotland 2

Scottish attack the Belarus defence quite regularly.

59 mins: Belarus 1 v Scotland 2

The game has got a bit bitty - with tackles flying in all over the place. YELLOW CARD - no 11 Belarus - Ivan KISIALEVICH

55 mins: Belarus 1 v Scotland 2

Scottish attack is smothered by the Belarus goalkeeper.

53 mins: Belarus 1 v Scotland 2

A Belarus attack is through on goal, however, a good recovery tackle by the Scots clears the ball.

50 mins: Belarus 1 v Scotland 2

Belarus have weathered the counter attack by the Scottish

47 mins: Belarus 1 v Scotland 2

GOAL - for Belarus, some poor Scottish defending let the Belarus no 9 - Vitali ZYSCHYK in for the goal.

45 mins: Belarus 0 v Scotland 2

PENALTY CORNER for Scotland - strike hits the post and rebounds safely for the Belarus team.

39 mins: Belarus 0 v Scotland 2

PENALTY CORNER to Scotland first shot blocked illegally so second PENALTY CORNER awarded.

GREEN CARD no 13 Scotland - Kenneth BAIN - for protesting

36 Mins: Belarus 0 v Scotland 2

2nd Half underway - Scotland got the ball

HT: Belarus 0 v Scotland 2

30 Mins: Belarus 0 v Scotland 2

After some nice build up play down the right hand side of the pitch Scotland are awarded a PENALTY CORNER - no 11 steps up for the strike but it hits a Belarus foot for a second PENALTY CORNER. First shot by no 11 is cleared off the line but the rebound falls back to him and he rifles it in. GOAL - no 11 Mark Ralph.

26 Mins: Belarus 0 v Scotland 1

GOAL - Scotland, no 15 Iain SCHOLEFIELD, diving in on the back post to deflect the ball over the goal line.

26 Mins: Belarus 0 v Scotland 0

GREEN CARD - Belarus no Ivan ILYUSCHYTS for a stick tackle

23 Mins: Belarus 0 v Scotland 0

Scotland are on the attack again but zip a ball harmlessly across the D.

19 Mins: Belarus 0 v Scotland 0

PENALTY CORNER to Belarus - pushed wide of the far post.

18 Mins: Belarus 0 v Scotland 0

Another Scotland attack lacks punch as it is dealt with by the Belarus defence.

15 Mins: Belarus 0 v Scotland 0

PENALTY CORNER to Belarus - can they sneak a lead - no they cant - shot deflected wide of the near post. Scotland counter attack.

11 Mins: Belarus 0 v Scotland 0

Scotland attack again - but find their efforts dealt with by the Belarus defence.

10 Mins: Belarus 0 v Scotland 0

Belarus attack - but Scotland clean up and counter, some very cool defending from the Belarus sweeper clears the ball.

7 Mins: Belarus 0 v Scotland 0

Belarus have had some attacks but with very little effect. Scotland still look the most likey to score when they drive forward.

3 Mins: Belarus 0 v Scotland 0

Scotland are attacking the Belarus defence making some probing 3D passes. The Belarus team are finding it difficult to get out of their half.

1 Mins: Belarus 0 v Scotland 0

PENALTY CORNER to Scotland - can they grab an early lead. Scottish no 11 flings the ball wide of the post.

0 Mins: Belarus 0 v Scotland 0

Teams have lined up - Scotland push back - GAME ON.

Game 18: BELARUS v SCOTLAND

Starting line-ups

Belarus: Aliaksander RADZIVINOVICH, Yauhan CHERAPANAU, Ihar LITOUCHANKA, Tsimyr TSIMASHKOY, Ihar ZYSHCHYK, Ivan ILYUSCHYTS, Vitali ZYSHCHYK, Ivan KISIALEVICH (C), Pavel HABRYNEUSKI, Andrei LAZARENKA, Siarhei LIHOR.

Scotland: Stephen DICK, Graham MOODIE (C), Mark RALPH, Kenneth BAIN, Willie MARSHALL, Iain SCHOLEFIELD, Niall STOTT, Graham DUNLOP, Ali MCGREGOR, Chris GRASSICK, Vishal MARWAHA.

Umpires: Andrey ISAEV & Jamie HINDLE

This game will see Vishal MARWAHA gain his 150th cap.

FT: Italy 2 v Switzerland 1

GOAL - the Swiss get a consolation goal with the last action of the game - no 9 Federico ARDITO.

69 Mins: Italy 2 v Switzerland 0

Into the last minute and, fair play to the Swiss they are still trying for a goal.

67 Mins: Italy 2 v Switzerland 0

A hit outside the D for the Italians is upgraded to a PENALTY CORNER for some Swiss dissent. The shot is put wide of the far post.

65 Mins: Italy 2 v Switzerland 0

The Swiss are lazy playing the ball about the back and pay the price as the Italians intercept and bear down on the goal - the shot goes zipping wide of the far post.

62 Mins: Italy 2 v Switzerland 0

GOAL: Finally after all their attacks the Italian Striker no 11 Massimo LANZANO slots the ball past the substitute goalkeeper.

61 Mins: Italy 1 v Switzerland 0

Another Italian attack is stopped by a strong tackle by the Swiss defence.

55 Mins: Italy 1 v Switzerland 0

Swiss substitute goalkeeper.

53 Mins: Italy 1 v Switzerland 0

Italy win a long corner which they dribble into the buts gets tackled.

GREEN CARD for Italian no 11 - Massimo LANZANO - for verbals.

50 Mins: Italy 1 v Switzerland 0

The game has calmed down a bit with both midfield's struggling to get a grip.

45 Mins: Italy 1 v Switzerland 0

PENALTY CORNER to the Italians - a nice routine at the top of the D results in a good save by the Swiss keeper.

44 Mins: Italy 1 v Switzerland 0

Both teams are attacking - it really is end to end - however, the quality in the final third for both teams is lacking.

41 Mins: Italy 1 v Switzerland 0

Two Italian attacks are stopped by two saves by the keeper.

39 Mins: Italy 1 v Switzerland 0

Italians run down the right win only to be thwarted by a great Swiss tackle.

38 Mins: Italy 1 v Switzerland 0

The Swiss attack is broken down by for once a resilient Italian defence. But they keep going and get a long corner.

36 Mins: Italy 1 v Switzerland 0

2nd half starts -

HT: Italy 1 v Switzerland 0

32 Mins: Italy 1 v Switzerland 0

Swiss are attacking like clockwork - however, they are not getting that final killer ball in - many balls are zipping across the D but no one is getting on the end.

29 Mins: Italy 1 v Switzerland 0

The Swiss are now attacking and are rewarded with a PENALTY CORNER. Can they grab the equaliser - no they can not.

27 Mins: Italy 1 v Switzerland 0

PENALTY CORNER to Italy - GOAL - a great save from the Swiss goalkeeper, however, the ball rebounds straight to no 2 who bats it into the goal - Jacopo LUNETTA.

22 Mins: Italy 0 v Switzerland 0

The Swiss are coming more and more into the game - however, an Italian break sees them awarded a PENALTY CORNER. Which comes to nothing due to a good block by the defender and goalkeeper.

18 Mins: Italy 0 v Switzerland 0

PENALTY CORNER to Italy - Reverse stick shot deflected over by the goalkeeper for a long corner.

16 Mins: Italy 0 v Switzerland 0

An Italian attack is turned over and Swiss attack - they are awarded a free hit 5m outside the D - they move it 5 yards and then drill it into the D but it goes out harmlessly.

11 Mins: Italy 0 v Switzerland 0

A Swiss attack is turned over and the Italians attack - They win a PENALTY CORNER for a stick tackle - nothing come from it. Swiss attack and force a save from the Italian keeper.

7 Mins: Italy 0 v Switzerland 0

Its taken the Swiss 7 minutes but they have finally got into the Italian half - but not for long.

4 Mins: Italy 0 v Switzerland 0

Italians are making all the moves to score the first goal - playing most of the game so far in the Swiss half - the couple of shots they have manufactured have been on the reverse and have gone high or wide.

2 Mins: Italy 0 v Switzerland 0

Italian PENALTY CORNER as the ball hits a Swiss foot. Can they take an early lead: No but the ball hits another Swiss foot for a SECOND PENALTY CORNER. Keeper charges ball down for a long corner.

0 Mins: Italy 0 v Switzerland 0

Anthems have been sung, hands have been shaken - the teams have lined up - GAME ON!!

GAME 17: Italy v Switzerland

Starting line-ups

Italy: Alberto MARCHI, Jacopo LUNETTA (C), Andrea VARGIU, Agustin NUNEZ, Alessandro NANNI, Federico ARDITO, Loris PERELLI, Massimo LANZO, Patricio Demien, William COTTAM, Michele CIRINA

Switzerland: Partick EGLOFF, Andrea BENZ, Maurice COTTIER (C), Phillipe BERNHARD, Thomas GAHWILER, Pascal ZIMMERMANN, Oliver NYIKOS, Fabian WULLSCHLEGER, Uli BERGMANN, MAnuel KELLER, Andrin RICKLI,

Umpires: David STEWARD & Thomas DUMON.