Men's British Cup crown goes to Great Dane

2nd May 2006

The men’s British Cup saw four great games and with 100-150 spectators on the sidelines cheering on the final, this was one of the real highlights of a great weekend in Nottingham.

Saturday (29th April) saw the men’s British Cup semi-finals being played with Scottish team, Tryst, taking on Ruislip Eagles and London based Great Dane playing Oxford University. The Cup final and play-off match were played on Sunday (30th April).


Semi final: Tryst versus Ruislip Eagles

In the first of the semi finals, Tryst eased to a 28-21 win over Ruislip who were suffering from having only eight players. It was effectively over by half time with Tryst holding a 15-5 lead.

They eased off in the second half which allowed Ruislip to pull three goals back but it was just too big a job to ask of their small squad.

Top scorers were McALEER for Tryst with 10 and LAGADEC for Ruislip with six.

Semi final: Great Dane versus Oxford University

The second semi final with British Cup holders Great Dane taking on Oxford University saw a genuine veteran put in an amazing performance to assist his team – Radu Miclaus (self confessed 45) was almost unpassable in goal and kept his team right in it – Danes went in 12-9 up at half time.

In the second half, they continued to dominate – just – and ran out winners 24-18 but Radu deserves a huge amount of credit in that win. Top scorers were KINDL for Oxford Uni with 12 and JANIK for Danes with six.

3rd/4th Play Off: Oxford University versus Ruislip Eagles

On Sunday, Oxford took third place with a hard fought 18-14 win over Ruislip – they were five goals to the good at the break (11-6) but Ruislip fought back in the second half and it finished 18-14 to Oxford.

Top scorers were KINDL with five for Oxford and TRAHN & KABIEN for Ruislip with four each.

British Cup final: Great Dane versus Tryst

The final was a battle of the European titans – both clubs have taken part in EHF club competitions in the past two years and showed they are head and shoulders above all of our clubs at the present time.

This was a great spectacle for the watching crowd and Great Dane just had the upper hand and were one goal to the good at half time (10-9).

Tryst were determined to fight back and each time Danes looked like pulling away, Tryst dragged them back.

Unfortunately, they never quite managed to get on top and Danes just managed to hold onto the lead right to the end, winning 19-18.

This match was a great advertisement for the sport in Great Britain, these two teams will certainly be at the vanguard as more teams forge their way into Europe alongside the Scotland, England and Great Britain teams.


Thank you from the British Handball Association

The British Handball Association would like to thank the Nottingham Uni club without whose help the weekend would have been a failure – for helping put down the court and to all of their players who spent time as scorers and timekeepers.

Thanks to the staff at the Jubilee Centre for their help and hospitality and to Nigel Mayglothling who is a great friend of British Handball.

Editors note: A big thank you also goes to Colin Wills, whose hard work and dedication resulted in another great British Cup finals weekend.

Text: Colin Wills, BHA