Welcome

It is a great pleasure for me as President of the European Hockey Federation to welcome all players, officials, press and spectators to Siauliai for the EuroHockey Indoor Junior Nations Championships, for Women, 2009.

This season four Indoor Junior Nations tournaments will take place in Europe – this weekend here in Siauliai, with the Trophy in Guimareas in Portugal. Last weekend the men took centre stage with the Championships in Vienna and the Trophy in Budapest.

For many European nations the winter climate prohibits playing hockey outdoors so indoor hockey is an extremely intricate part of the hockey calendar. The EHF sees indoor hockey as strategically important to the development of hockey throughout Europe.

To all those taking part in the tournaments, coaches, managers, umpires and officials, and of course the players, I hope your experience at this tournament will be competitive, rewarding and, above all, enjoyable. I thank the spectators for their support and hope they enjoy the unique atmosphere that is associated with indoor hockey!

Finally, tournaments such as this require substantial organisation, and the European Hockey Federation is most grateful to the Lithuania Hockey Federation for hosting and in particular to Leonardas Caikauskas and the members of the organising committee for their hard work and dedication to ensure a well organised and exciting tournament.

Good luck.

Martin Gotheridge
President European Hockey Federation ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

Dear Hockey friends, colleagues and guests of the championship,

Best compliments for the participants, coaches, umpires, officials and spectators of EuroHockey indoor junior U-21 nations championship.

The city of Siauliai is the countries women’s hockey centre, here runs all the most important Lithuanian women games. The women hockey clubs of this city such as “Gintra-Strekte-Universitetas”, “Siauliai” and “Lidvija” already fourth decade glorifies Siauliai name all over the Europe and the players of these clubs traditionally structures the base of different age group of Lithuanian national teams.

European hockey federation first time in Lithuanian hockey federation history entrusted to host – EuroHockey indoor junior U-21 nations championship and symbolic, that it will be held in multifunctional complex “Siauliai arena”, which is pride of the community.

The decision of EHF is not accidental, because Lithuanian Hockey Federation and Siauliai municipality during the 7 last years successfully organized 5 European Women and Girls Championships and more than 20 continent’s hockey teams visited this city.

We truly believe that the athletes from Austria, Belarus, Czech Republic, Spain, Poland, Russia and Slovakia in “Siauliai arena” will demonstrate the highest level hockey competitions and charm the audience with their determination and combativity.

Hearty thanks to Siauliai city municipality and city council members, section of Physical Education and Sports, Department of Physical Education and Sports, multifunctional complex “Siauliai arena” team, to all friends and sponsors, because without your help and support, sincere help this fabulous sport event wouldn’t happen.

Leonardas Caikauskas
Lithuanian Hockey Federation president
European Hockey Federation Executive Board member ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… Dear participants and guests of the Championship,

Welcome to Lithuania!

The geography of hockey is expanding further and further in Lithuania, and it is a great pleasure, indeed, to receive all of you today coming to our country and city of Siauliai An excellent Multifunctional complex „Siauliai arena“ has been built, corresponding to the highest indoor sports games requirements.

To the all EuroHockey indoor junior U-21 nations championship participants I would like to wish the greatest success and unforgettable moments for the hockey fans. Especially as the athletes competing in Siauliai are our Olympian hopes, and it is very likely that we will find a few promising ones in this Championship, the ones, who will probably become future Olympians.

Once again I wish success, victories and unforgettable impressions!

Yours sincerely,

Algirdas Raslanas
Director General Department of Physical Education and Sports
under the Government of the Republic of Lithuania …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
Dear participants and guests of the Championship!

The City of Šiauliai is always welcomes guests and athletes - in particular, granting us magnificent events, ardor and delight victory moments. Our town has deep and glorious women hockey traditions and I believe, not occasionally, by the year 2002-2007 in Šiauliai were held even 5 women and youth hockey championships.

We are happy that European hockey federation again entrusted in our city to hold the highest rank junior championship, first held in our city pride - multifunctional complex “Siauliai arena”.

We believe in remarkable victory of the Lithuanian team based on the Šiauliai players and as well I wish the success to our city guests - players from Austria, Belarus, Czech Republic, Spain, Poland, Russia and Slovakia.

I wish the decisive fight and impressive competition to all players. Let this European Championship taking place in Šiauliai be unforgettable, let our city be a place where everyone would like to come back.

Good luck in the Championship!

Genadijus Miksys
Mayor of Siauliai City