Ice Hockey
Francesco A. Armillotta
The Italian trio is served and now lacks only the official mathematics for the qualification in Sochi 2014. The National sledge hockey beat Germany 4-0 and at least "book" his place in the Paralympics in Russia.
Wednesday 23 October 2013 10 minutes reading time
 There is still no certainty official, which could come as early as the late afternoon in the case of Swedish victory over South Korea, or in the event of arrival to the rigors of the match.
For the moment, however, Italy can be inserted in the front row, halfway into his repechage Paralympic tournament. As was the case with Great Britain and Japan, Palatazzoli of Turin pushes the National Massimo Da Rin to win, but the approach to race, contrary to what happened in the previous challenges, it is not instantaneous.
Especially Merit of Germany, the last chance qualifier (up to his challenge against the Blues as a dowry of a zero in the box of points won) and tension also fallen on the home side, which appeared contracted and imprecise in the first 15 minutes. Determination German that can be seen in the first period, when the territorial dominance and potential hazard of Germany (8-7 throws the calculation of the total for the team managed by Andreas Pokorny) and a decisive Santino Stillitano (instead of Araudo, owner yesterday in the victory over Japan), author of several decisive rejected.
The game is locked. Especially about the Germans, very proactive and constant pressure in every area of ​​football. The rotation of the lines does not reward the blues. Up to the minute 3:06 of the second period, it disturbs the balance of the contest: we think of the new bomber Florian Planker (always scored in each race), to carry on his. Smooth and seemingly effortless combination between assistmen Andrea Macri and Andrea Chiarotti. Italy is released, and finally the first blue line begins to embarrass their opponents-The doubling comes at the end of the second period, again with Planker, able to receive the pass by Valerio Corvino and to circumvent the goalkeeper Uhlemann. A goal came at a crucial moment, capable of stopping the effort of Germany in search of the same immediately.
After the last break, the fatigue is felt by both teams, as evidenced by the flocking of the disciplinary measures on both sides. The Blues, however, are adept at exploiting the power play ball, with a goal in the opening Chiarotti (assist Planker than usual) for the 3-0. The race is so down to Italy, which faces the onslaught well Teutonic also double-inferiority (outside Planker and Leperdi), especially with Stillitano which confirms its day of grace walling attempts opponents. We also consider Gregory Leperdi to seal the match, with the score 4-0. The attacker is served to perfection by two defenders Gianluigi Rosa and Gianluca Cavaliere. Italy celebrates in front of the public in Turin: the three points are a brick heavy, almost decisive, to arrive in Russia.
From the dressing room, the voices of the protagonists blues are full of satisfaction. So the technician Da Rin: "The third game is often the most difficult, also because Germany was likely to be eliminated in case of defeat, and not having many opportunities, they gave everything. Then, there was to be considered an additional difficulty, fatigue (both teams played their third game in three days, ed) - also stresses the defensive performance of his, but not only - goal and we do not take Today thanks also Stillitano I prodded before the match. But the whole group can not be blamed anything. Now we are aiming to integrate young people as Larch, who is doing well here in Turin and De Paoli, back in the national team. The qualification in the Paralympics? Until there is a mathematical certainty, we continue to look only to us. "
Florian Planker, top scorer of the tournament (5 goals and 3 assists so far), comments on the race: "They were very determined and gave their all in the first half. In the second, then, we did well to break the deadlock and they have lost their grip - and see in advance the possible Olympic tournament in Sochi - If we were to go in the games we could aspire to the third place. Bearing in mind, however, that we are a team with a certain age and that we enter as many young people and that we are left to compete with reality much more important than the Italian one: here are just 45 players to sledge hockey. "
Captain Chiarotti enhances the group, which in the home tournament is responding well: "He felt the pressure of the home crowd, we checked very well the psychological aspect, which is enormously important, but we managed to drop us well in the field, struggling. "
On the occasion of Italy-Germany was also present Marcus Junius De Sanctis, Secretary General of CIP (Italian Paralympic Committee) and the Head of Delegation Paralympics in Sochi 2014 "After a bit 'of pressure at the beginning - he said, commenting on the race of the blues - the guys have shown all their strength and their understanding. I think sledge hockey is one of the sports most spectacular ones Paralympics and has nothing to envy to the disciplines of the able-bodied. The important thing is that the press and media to follow us throughout the year and not just during the Paralympics. Beyond the qualification, it would be important to win the tournament in Turin because it would increase the certainty of the whole team. Without a team sport would be a truncated delegation to Sochi - and talks of possible targets Italian - certainly, in Sochi, we can aspire to a place among the top five in the world to enter the elite Paralympic. With regard to the overall picture - says De Sanctis - maybe we will collect less than medals in Vancouver but there may be because there is an ongoing generational change. However, we can hope to get on the podium with Francesca Porcellato and Enzo Masiello cross-country skiing and Melania Corradini, if you recover well from a knee injury last season, and newcomer Alexander Daldoss in alpine skiing. The most important thing, however, that there may be an increase of the high level, is that it also increases the number of practitioners across the country and the sports culture: it is scandalous that about one million three hundred thousand disabled only engage sport. "
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