On the first day of action at the Samsung Hockey Indoor World Cup here in Vienna, Austria, defending men’s World Champion Germany had a tough time. The Germans won both their matches against Trinidad & Tobago and Czech Republic, but it was not that easy. Women’s World Title holder Germany claimed two easy victories on Wednesday.

The German men team has only one goal here in Vienna, were more than 2’500 spectators in total came to the Stadthalle to watch some of the 22 matches. The Germans wants to take the title again and keep their undefeated record. In the first match of the day against Trinidad & Tobago, this was not that easy. It was not Germany, but the Pan American team of Trinidad & Tobago that opened the score. It took the Germans ten minutes to equalize and after that the German train was running. Germany won the match 9-2.

The second German match of the day against Czech Republic was even closer. It was Benedikt Sperling who scored the winning goal (3-2) in the last second of the match, when Czech Republic had only three field players on the pitch against five Germans due to two Czech yellow cards.

In other men’s Samsung Indoor World Cup action, host Austria won its matches against Italy (6-3) and South Africa (11-1). Spain also won both its matches: a 6-0 win over South Africa and a 8-4 victory against Canada.

In women’s Samsung Indoor World Cup action, tournament favorites Germany and Netherlands cruised to two victories each. Germany blew both Australia (12-0) and Italy (13-1) of the pitch here in Vienna. Netherlands nailed Austria (6-2) and South Africa (4-2).

Ukraine was one of the surprises on the first day. The Eastern Europeans started with an amazing victory against Czech Republic (7-2), followed by a win over Scotland (10-4).

Action here in Vienna continues on Thursday with 22 more matches scheduled. In both the men’s and women’s Samsung Indoor World Cup, twelve teams compete in two pools of six for the places in the semifinals, scheduled for Saturday. The finals will take place on Sunday.

For more information, including live scores, photos, match sheets and tournament news, click here.

Samsung Hockey Indoor World Cup

Results Wednesday 14 February 2007

Place: Stadthalle Vienna, Austria

Spectators: 2’550.

Men, pool A:
Trinidad & Tobago – Germany 2:9 (1:4)
Switzerland – Czech Republic  4:6 (3:3)
Russia – Australia 4:8 (1:3)
Germany – Czech Republic 3:2 (1:0)
Switzerland – Australia 4:3 (2:2)
Trinidad & Tobago –  Russia 2:9 (1:6)

Men, pool B:
Austria – Italy 5:3 (3:3)
Canada – Poland 0:9 (0:5)
Spain – South Africa 6:0 (3:0)
Spain – Canada 8:4 (3:3)
Austria – South Africa 11:1 (4:0)

Women, pool A:
Czech Republic –  Ukraine 2:7 (2:2)
Scotland – Italy 6:5 (3:3)
Australia – Germany 0:12 (0:5)
Czech Republic – Australia 1:4 (0:2)
Ukraine – Scotland 10:4 (3:1)
Germany –  Italy 13:1 (5:0)

Women, pool B:
Belarus – Canada 6:3 (2:0)
Netherlands – Austria 6:2 (4:0)
South Africa – Spain 2:4 (1:3)
South Africa – Netherlands 2:4 (0:2)
Austria – Canada 4:2 (1:1)