Italhockey, bitter defeat with Hungary
Italy-Hungary 2-3
At the Sparkasse Arena in Bolzano, Italy was mocked by Hungary, which won 3-2 at the overtime, in a match full of emotions and with the blue lineup that was stopped just a step away from success. Earlier, Slovenia had beaten Japan 3-1, while Romania had beaten South Korea 3-2. By virtue of these results, Slovenia è already qualified for the Top Division. To know the second lineup that will go to the 2025 Top Division World Cup and the relegated team, the last day will be needed. Italy will have to win in the 60 minutes of regulation against South Korea and hope for a three-point win by Slovenia over Hungary.
Italy started with a good attitude, immediately putting pressure on the Hungarian rearguard: a couple of shots by Diego Kostner and a conclusion by Frank ignited the reflexes of extreme Balisz. Italy continues to grind out the game and has the first numerical superiority: in the 120 seconds with the extra man, there are no big chances. Pelino’s lineup continues to play the game, though they fail to break through on yet another powerplay. As the minutes pass Hungary tries to take meters of ice, Hadobas engages Clara and then the Azzurri defend well in penalty killing. The first partial ends in a deadlocked net after tense nerves between Purdeller and Hadobas.
The nervousness drags into the middle period as well, with two players on each side in the bad guys’ bench. The match becomes a concentration of emotions on the attacks of the respective teams. Hungary tries again and again from the blue, as Salinitri engages Balisz, who repels with his boot. Italy again came close, touching a goal with Catenacci and bungling a’further chance with the extra man. The Magyars, on the other hand, did not let a chance slip through their fingers at 30:27, when Sofron won a clash with Amorosa and backhandedly put the ball in behind Clara. The next few minutes saw the Magyar formation more enterprising, but the momentum turned back in favor of the Azzurri who, during two consecutive powerplays, launched the assault on Balizs’ goal: the equalizer came at 38:56, with a torpedo on the volley by Pietroniro which hit Nilsson’s skate and entered the net. Italy also came close to the lead soon after, with Mantenuto finding this time the opposition of the Magyar goalkeeper.
The third half è a concentration of emotions. Mantenuto does not affect the counterattack in an inferior situation. When it comes back to 5-on-5 play, a volley by Mihaly -after a mistake in the Azzurri s zone exit-allows Hungary to take the lead again (42:35). Just 73 seconds pass and Italy regains the equalizer with an underhand touch by Frank. Italy again, with Mantinger and Gazley giving the Magyars the creeps. On 49° two big-chances on both sides of the rink: Sofron and Marchetti but the result does not change. Pietroniro fails to get past Balizs from a good position; likewise Kiss on Clara. At 57° good percussion of the Azzurri but Hungary also saves on the’last chance of the regulation by Mantenuto.
The’overtime è a concentration of emotions. Balizs saves everything on Catenacci, while Hungary hits the post. Larkin and Salinitri have the winning puck, but the Azure forward gets stopped by an incredible save by the Magyar goalie. And so, on the other, Hungary solves the match thanks to Varga, who finalizes the action orchestrated by Hari just 66 seconds before the siren. With this victory, the Magyar national team moves up to 2nd place, two points ahead of Italy. The last day will be decisive for the Azzurri.
