Field hockey, Italy ends the year with a smile

One win and one loss for Italy against the Hungarians

Italy concludes the second meet of the season, the last of the calendar year, with a clear success against Hungary: 3-0 was the final result of the match played on Friday in Brunico, a result that puts a smile back on the face of the Blue Team which, again by the Hungarians, had been defeated after shoot-outs twenty-four hours earlier.

The first goal of the evening came after a 1'53", and it bore the signature of Mantenuto, who was good at taking advantage of a mistake in the setting phase by the Magyars. For the second goal, however, we have to wait until minute 7'25" of the second period: the scorer this time è Purdeller, also scoring in the first game.

Again Mantenuto will close the score for good after 2'11": nice individual play by Gazley, who puts the puck in the middle for the 27-year-old Canadian-born, who is good at beating the opponent goaltender. At the end, the best player of the match will be the blue goaltender, Gianluca Vallini, who signs an important shutout.

Italy closes the sloare year on a high note and gives fansand insiders an appointment for the month of February: the goal will be to further build a useful foundation to face the World Division 1A in the best possible way, looking for promotion to the World Group after last season’s disappointment.