Ice Hockey
Francesco A. Armillotta
Double good news for the National sledge hockey. After qualifying came thanks to Germany's victory over Japan in the morning, the blue team also won the fourth meeting of the Paralympic tournament repechage.
Friday 25 October 2013 10 minutes reading time
The 3-2 after extra time to Sweden ago the blues remain in the running to play for even the top spot against South Korea (closing race tomorrow at Palatazzoli) and thereby qualifying for the 2014 Sochi Scandinavians, as well as the Koreans , previously victorious over the British. Closed so the speech and recorded at the Winter Paralympic tournament.
Italy-Sweden starts with a softer approach Men Da Rin, perhaps already calmed down after the good news of the Paralympic pass. So Sweden is more active in the first few minutes, with the keeper Araudo forced a couple of interventions difficult. Then, however, the National level rises and only the pole stops a shot by Gianluigi Rosa and a dangerous shot of Balossetti. The first period ends, however, with Sweden forward, but opportunities do not abound on the ice Palatazzoli.
In the second half the music changes and definitely get the show. Sweden and the strong Ingvarsson does not miss the opportunity presented by a defense Italian not blameless, using the assist of outflanking Kasperi: the minute 2:28. The disadvantage has the power to groom the Blues two minutes later capture the par with the first goal in the tournament Werner Winkler, the result of a perfect combination of Gregory Leperdi and Florian Planker. A marking arrived exploiting the power play Italian, due to interference by the expulsion of the author of the Nordic advantage.
Unfortunate then Italy Planker when the puck hits the crossbar and bounces just before the goal line defense against Chievo goalkeeper. But the joy for the South Tyrolean is postponed only a few seconds (in numerical superiority), because the same is posted Planker well Corvino sill when he needs an assist to download only the network on the fly and with anger, perhaps due occasion failed earlier. Italy 2-1 comeback and completed within 8 minutes. The race without a moment's respite and the desire of the Swedes from pursuing Sochi materializes soon: and especially thanks impregnable Kasperi, good at mock Araudo. Sweden also has monumental opportunity to take the lead, but the Italian goalkeeper is cold between the posts. The second quarter ends so at 2-2, open to any proposed development.
The last 15 minutes of the game saw attack Italy and Sweden with insistence to try to defend the overtime that would ensure the Paralympic pass. The goalkeeper Nordic Nilsson is exceeded in a couple of clear chances, the last of which on Leperdi and the power play for Italy until the end.
The whistle after the end of the third period causes the explosion of joy Swedes, certain of qualification in Sochi. It goes well with the overtime both teams met in the win. The blues seem the most determined immediately, but must wait until the last 48 seconds to exult: Florian Planker is still to sign the final 3-2 on a restart with the assistman Knight. It ends 3-2 and Italy centers the fourth success of many races. The Palatazzoli celebrates another victory of his idols and Sweden celebrates the security team to review the Da Rin in Russia. All in the same day. A special day for Turin and the blues. From Turin had started the adventure of the National Paralympic Winter Games of 2006 and from the same city comes the departure ticket for Sochi 2014 and the third competition in five circles of this wonderful group.
Massimo Da Rin, coach architect of the success of the group, is obviously happy for victory and qualification: "I've never been afraid in this tournament. Indeed, it is scary to me only my team, when there are not with your head or should I call them back. The opponents knew them and I knew that there was'' a chance to do well. '' The primary objective was to qualify the Paralympics, I expected that we were in the top three. Today, however, we just wanted to win the tournament and also in respect of the other teams. I'm sorry I cut off the Germans that today we have a pleasure, but we always play to win - on the possibilities of his group, he anticipates - In Sochi we want to get to the best of our ability. If the team is training well, why not, can aspire to a medal. I've never talked about before, but now you can tell. The last World Cup, if otherwise turned the game with Russia, we would have already been able to play the podium. "
Captain Andrea Chiarotti retraces the last minutes of the match against Sweden: "In the final game, Da Rin called the time out to decide whether or not to remove the goalkeeper. We have seen that there would not be changed much if we had won in regulation time, so we decided to stake everything on'' overtime and tomorrow we are playing for the ultimate success with Korea. " The blue traces the tournament so far undertaken by his team: "We came to this tournament as favorites, but between saying and doing c'' is always half of the sea. In the match with Germany, for example, had a hard time unstuck. So far it has been a wonderful tournament and perhaps the most difficult moment was before it all started, because the tension was really great, even before the match with Britain - then traces the journey of the National, from its beginnings - At the time when we showed up in Turin in 2006, there was a duty to honor the Paralympics home. But since we qualified for Vancouver, things have changed. There, the medal dream was far away, but we'' l have it all set and Norway we have done everything to stay in the race. After that game, many of us including myself have cried after the game. In Sochi arrive after winning the European Cup in 2011 and the Group A team so will do our best. "
Results of the fourth day
Japan-Germany 3-2
South Korea-UK 10-2
Italy-Sweden 3-2
STANDINGS after four rounds
South Korea 9
Italy 8
Sweden 4
Germany 3
Japan 3
Great Britain 0
Program the last day
Germany-Great Britain 10 am (live on Rai Sport 2)
Sweden-Japan 13:30 (deferred Rai Sport 2, 15:40)
Italy-South Korea 17 hours (deferred Rai Sport 2, at 22)
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