Eustice: World Cup is ‘unbelievable’
Former Benoni Northerns junior hockey player Jethro Eustice is enjoying the ongoing Rabobank Hockey World Cup, in The Hague.
Eustice (24) was a part of the South African men’s national hockey team who lost 4-0 to world number two and reigning Olympic champions Germany, in their opening game of the tournament, on Sunday, June 1.
Despite the Pool B defeat to the Germans, the former Arbor Primary School and Jeppe High School pupil is having a fantastic time at the World Cup.
“All is going well,” he told the City Times on Monday, June 2.
“We had a really tough 10-day training camp before the tournament started, and played four warm-up games.”
He described playing at the World Cup as “unbelievable”.
“Playing in a converted football stadium [The Kyocera Stadium] with a capacity of 15 000 people is unreal,” he said.
“The vibe from the people coming to support the World Cup is incredible and the first couple of days have showcased hockey like never before.
“All of the countries have so far provided world class games, talents and skills.”
Commenting on the German defeat, the national defender said: “The Germans are very structured and disciplined, so it was extremely tough breaking them down.
“They created a few goal-scoring chances in the first minutes of the game, but we composed ourselves and played some good hockey throughout the game.
“It is a pity, though, that we could not get a goal, but there is still plenty to write home about.”
The team were, at the time of going to press, scheduled to play New Zealand on Tuesday, June 4, and South Korea on Friday, June 6 (tomorrow), at 5.30pm.
