Club Harvestehuder took their place in the final four with a 4-1 over Club de Campo in an entertaining KO8 tie here in Eindhoven. A brace from Johan Bjorkman, a stunning strike from Tobias Brockmann and a controversial penalty corner on full time from Michael Korper saw the German side through to the semi-finals in their first season in the competition. 

The German side took the lead in what was a fairly even first quarter. Finn Kohler’s shot from the top of the D was saved by Xavi Trenchs but in the ensuing scramble Bjorkman was able to stab the ball home.

Gonzlo Lasso had a great chance to draw Campo level but his shot from an angle crashed into the side netting. At the other end, the ever vocal Trenchs in goal was called upon to keep out Nicolas Spooner as the game swung from end to end. With four minutes left to play in the half Lasso fired wide again as the ball was slipped back to him from a penalty corner.

Campo forced a series of penalty corners at the start of the second half. Tobias Walter did well to get a glove on Ruben Mulder’s flick and was then up well to save Lasso’s rebound. Andres Mir was then frustrated as his flick was charged down by the runner.

Christoph Bechmann’s side switched to a higher press and it almost paid immediate dividends. Michael Korper robbed Mulder and won a penalty corner which the No9 flicked himself, forcing a good save from Trenchs.

Lasso continued to look like the biggest attacking threat and the Captain was unlucky not to beat Walter who raced from his line to smother the chance well.

The fourth quarter was the one with all the drama. With six minutes left in the match, Harvestehuder seemed to sew it up. Bjorkman was on hand at the near post to turn in a cross from the right to make it 2-0. However, just a minute later, Campo hit back. Mir’s penalty corner was saved but Mulder was on hand to fire home the rebound and set up a nervy finale. With three minutes left on the clock, the German side settled any nerves they may have felt with a third goal. Brockmann did well to smuggle the ball to Korper just outside the D and then collected the return pass, sliding to get to the ball. With the goalkeeper closing him down he shot from on his knees into the roof of the net.

Harvestehuder won a penalty corner on the full time whistle. There seemed to be a conversation between Tobias Hauke and the defence beforehand, possibly to state the Germans would not shoot. As a result the Spaniards did not make any effort to defend the corner, which Korper flicked into the bottom corner, sparking angry scenes. Trenchs had to be lead away by his teammates as he was particularly furious whilst Korper seemed to see the funny side, which did not help to calm tempers down. When all was settled both sides went to thank their fans with Campo bowing out out of the competition and Harvestehuder living to fight another day.

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