World Lacrosse Championship 2018: Hong Kong sweep pool to set up Germany showdown
Scott Browning’s team are set to face world No 9 Germany on Saturday after wins over Luxembourg, Poland and Uganda in the tournament’s Olive Pool
Hong Kong left the lacrosse world open-mouthed after winning three from three at the 2018 FIL Lacrosse Championships in Netanya, Israel on Saturday, ensuring their first ever qualification for the elite Championship Bracket.
Scott Browning’s team are set to face world No 9 Germany on Saturday following wins over Luxembourg, Poland and Uganda in the tournament’s Olive Pool.
Before the match, Browning called the Poland encounter “instrumental” for both teams’ qualification campaign and his stars duly delivered; a hat-trick from Stephen O’Brien and a double from Wesley Wong See-hon ensured a 9-7 win over the Poles.
“I’m really proud of the team for how they fought through a really difficult game and found a way to win,” said Browning. “Poland played strong but I think our fitness played a big part.”
The result is testament to the years of physical and tactical refining by Hong Kong men’s lacrosse, who had lost to Poland 14-4 in the Colorado edition four years ago. Hong Kong finished 21st overall.