SPORT The Minsk Times Thursday, July 28, 2011 11 Among permanent Yelena partners equine prize holders By Kirill Pirogov Passat with victorious results Belarus captures its fourth Yelena Telepushkina of Belarus wins FEI World Cup Eventing stage on Passat bronze at European Motoball Championship By Yuri Karpenko Ratomka. Ksenia Rybak was the In Ukrainian Voznesensk fourth member of the Belarusian (Nikolaev Region), the hosting Th e Republican Olympic squad. She is daughter to famous team has been beaten 8:2 by Be- Equestrian and Breeding Centre Belarusian triathlete Mikhail Ry- larus, leaving our team to take a in Ratomka, not far from Minsk, bak, who took part in world and confi dent bronze. During the pre- hosted events in three categories. European championships, as well liminary stage, Belarus lost to Rus- Experienced riders performed in as in the Olympic Games. Last sia and Germany, while beating 3-star class events, competing for year, she rode for the junior team Ukraine and Holland. In the semi- qualifying points for the London but is now competing against ex- fi nals, we lost to Germany as Russia Olympics, while others enjoyed 1 perienced riders. She has done well smashed Ukraine. Russians even- and 2-star classes, aiming for Eu- in earning qualifying scores. tually won the European Champi- ropean championships. World Cup events are organised onship gold, defeating Germany in “At present, our thriathletes in zones. Th is time, riders from the fi nals. have a good chance of earning Russia, Ukraine, Romania, Poland Th is year’s bronze is Belarus’ places at the Olympic Games,” and the Baltic States arrived at fourth to date, with gold captured notes state equestrian coach Na- Ratomka, with the major struggle only in 2004. We have seven times talia Yuranova. “Th ey have just seen between Belarus and Russia. claimed silver at European champi- fi ve stages of tournament at which Yelena Telepushkina and her horse onships. points can be earned, with eight Passat won, aft er confi dently sail- events in dressage and 25 others. ing through all events. Her victory Stepping We shouldn’t miss out and the was in no doubt, while Vyacheslav whole team could even qualify. Poito came third, followed by Al- up hockey Anything might happen in the exander Fominov. team competitions; we could even “Of course, the results please reach the top six.” us,” notes Ms. Yuranova. “Im- ratings Major hopes are pinned on portant scores have been earned, Dinamo Minsk ranked 40th Yelena Telepushkina, Vyacheslav so our athletes have shown that among European clubs Poito and Alexander Fominov. Two they’re able to rise to the challenge. Dinamo is representing Belarus in stages have been already held, with We’re also satisfi ed with the per- the Continental Hockey League and, Fominov coming fourth during the formances of our young athletes. for the third year in a row, is the only fi rst and Telepushkina celebrating Th ey did well during their 1 and Belarusian club in the top 100 Europe- her success during the second. Th ey 2-star classes but we must be real- BELTA an hockey teams. Th e rating — annu- planned to increase their scores at istic, as much lies ahead.” Graceful equestrian competition in Ratomka ally compiled by the French Hockey Archives Internet portal — relies on teams’ performances in domestic and High international championships, as well Correction of mistakes as their rating in the championships of results in the countries in which they perform. Th e 2010/11 season has placed competitive Dinamo in 40th position (a 25 step proves successful rise on last year’s result). Over the past struggle two seasons, the team has advanced BATE Borisov footballers defeat Northern Ireland’s Linfield at 54 places, with their progress much By Yuri Kovalev rooted in their success at the last CHL home in return match of Champions League second qualifying championship. Having occupied 16th round, reaching tournament’s next stage European Athletics Under- place in the regular season, Dinamo 23 Championship in Czech reached the Gagarin Cup draw (for score at short range, bringing the Republic brings fi ve medals for the fi rst time in their three years of score to 2:0. BATE managed to Belarusian national team playing with the League). In the fi rst hold on to its position for the rest Th e result is good, as proven play-off round, they eventually lost to of the match, remaining closer to by the fulfi lment of the team’s tar- Western Conference leader Yaroslavl its third goal, than Linfi eld to its gets. Th e Ostrava event saw acute Lokomotiv (in seven matches). In pre- fi rst. competition from top athletes, so vious CHL matches, the Belarusian “Th ere was some nervousness the Belarusian squad did well, per- club failed to reach play-off rounds, in the team during training for forming with spirit and determina- occupying 19th place in 2010 and the match. Th e result of the away tion. On the eve of departure for 22nd in 2009. match was good, but the quality of the Czech Republic, head coach our game left much to be desired. Anatoly Baduev accentuated that Accordingly, we were anxious our young athletes’ Olympic pros- Dress throughout the fi rst half — until pects would be decided. Pavel Nekhaichik scored. We then Alina Talay seems set to have an rehearsal relaxed, playing more diversely, excellent chance of qualifying, hav- Minsk hosts international grass although cautiously near our goal. ing done well at the European Team hockey tournament Having worked on our mistakes Championships in Stockholm, tak- Nice combinations, beautiful from the fi rst match, we deserved ing silver in the 100m hurdles. Sev- goals and confi dent saves by the BELTA to reach the next round,” noted eral weeks later, she reached the fi - goalkeepers resulted in a great event, Alexander Pavlov finds Linfield’s goal BATE head coach Victor Gon- nals in Ostrava, again taking silver, explains the Director of Minsk’s Th e fi rst match, held in Belfast, on counter-attack while BATE also charenko at the aft er-match press yielding only to Swiss Lisa Urech. Grass Hockey Club, Alexander No- fi nished with a draw — 1:1. A score played carefully, especially near conference. However, Urech failed to compete vik. Th e host team was playing an draw at home would have been suf- their goal. Th e match was rather Linfi eld coach David Jeff rey against Alina in the fi nals, where experimental line-up, with coaches fi cient to send Borisov through to dull until the second half; only two stressed, “BATE is a very technical Talay produced a satisfying 12.91 ‘testing’ potential newcomers. the next round. However, aft er the dangerous moments were created squad, good at keeping possession second fi nish. Th is proves her reli- Th e Minsk club is to play not fi rst game against the semi-profes- around Linfi eld’s goal. of the ball and delivering a pass. I’d ability and mental strength, which only in the Belarusian Super Cup but sional club from Northern Ireland, In the second half, the Borisov like to wish BATE success in the should stand her in good stead. in international matches. In Minsk, Belarusian fans were expecting a players began to behave more ag- next round; we’ll be rooting for Th e remaining medals for the the team failed to play consistently, confi dent win from their favourite gressively, with Artem Kontsevoy them. I believe that we bit off more Belarusian team were earned by losing to Ukrainian Olimpia-Ko- yellow and blue team. bursting into the penalty area in than we could chew today.” Anastasia Kashtanova (second in los Sekvoya, from Vinnitsa, and to Th e fi rst half of the match in the 58th minute. He hit the bar but Lithuanian Ekranas Panevėžys discus throwing), Eduard Mikhan Russian Dinamo, from Elektrostal. Borisov was characterised by cau- Pavel Nekhaichik knocked the ball will be BATE Borisov’s rival in the (silver for the decathlon), Oleg Du- However, it drew against Stroitel tious play, although the home team back in with his head. Th ree min- next stage of the tournament. It bitsky (third in hammer throwing) Brest, from Belarus, to come third. was dissatisfi ed with their lack of utes later, Alexander Pavlov broke defeated Valletta of Malta 4:2 away and Yana Maximova (bronze for Th ey anticipate future wins. goals. Linfi eld deliberately focused the rival’s defence in the centre to and 1:0 at home. the heptathlon).