Ice hockey, Italy knockout in'last pre-World Cup test
Italy was defeated with a score of 4-2 by Slovenia in the last friendly match for the Azzurri before the Division 1A World Cup, which will start on Sunday, April 27, and will take place in Romania. The intensity of the challenge, played Tuesday evening at the Intercable Arena in Brunico, was good and the Azzurri were able to draw good indications against a team engaged, this year, in the Top Division.
The first period was decidedly balanced: Slovenia ahead with Zezelj’s goal after 3’11” equalizer signed by Saracino at 17’52”. The middle third saw only the Slovenians score, for once, with Stebih at 12’07”. Italy tried several times to come close to equaling but in the third period Slovenia found the decisive stretch with Torok, author of the 3-1 at 5’04”.
With 9’39” elapsed in the last fraction Italy shortened the gap with Di Perna, but with 16″ to go Sitar″ s empty-goal goal finally closed the score on 4-2. Azzurri coach Jukka Jalonen will now have to make his final choices for the World Cup, which will allow the best two among the six participants to move up to the Top Division in 2026.
The Azzurri’s opponents are Japan (Sunday, April 27, 12:30 p.m.), Ukraine (Monday 28, same time), Poland (Wednesday 30, 4 p.m.), Great Britain (Thursday, May 1, 12:30 p.m.) and Romania (Saturday, May 3, 4 p.m.). The goal is to return to the top league of world field hockey after three years of purgatory.
