Against South Korea: Blue Team warms up for the home World Cup

The Azzurri convincingly won the first of three friendly matches against South Korea before the home World Cup on Saturday evening. After some initial difficulties, the Blue Team outplayed their guests without any problems.

20 April 2024

From: do

The Division I, Group A Ice Hockey World Championship starts next weekend and promises a true ice hockey festival in the Sparkasse Arena in Bolzano. The prologue for this was initiated on Saturday evening. The Blue Team was able to prepare for this home World Cup in a test match against the team from South Korea - which is also taking part in the tournament. In the Würth Arena in Neumarkt, the Azzurri mastered the first hurdle with flying colors and defeated the guests 4-0. The next test match against Hungary follows on Tuesday in Meran at 19.30 p.m.

The Azzurri went into the match with a slightly different line-up compared to the game against France a week ago. For example, Alex Trivellato, Diego Kostner, Daniel Mantenuto and Thomas Larkin as well as Dustin Gazely, who made a good impression on his Italian debut against the French, took a break on Saturday. This time players like Terence Amorosa and Marco Insam were on the ice. Andreas Bernard was also found between the posts against the South Koreans for the entire 60 minutes. The motto was certainly to try out as many player combinations as possible before the official squad for the home World Cup was announced, which is expected to be announced on Sunday.

This encounter will also delight fans at the World Cup. © Vanna Antonello

As was the case last weekend, there was a committed Blue Team on the ice. Against the weaker South Koreans, they always maintained control of the game and clearly outran their opponents both on the ice and in the shooting statistics (41:18 shots). Only on the scoreboard was it initially not possible to see a one-sided game. Although the Azzurri offensive around Matthias Mantinger, Tommy Purdeller and Co. came dangerously in front of Jungho Ha's goal several times, it was mostly over in the first two thirds.

First the engine stalls, then it purrs

Only a complete miss by the South Korean goalkeeper gave the Blue Team the lead. Jungho made his way behind the goal in the middle of the first period to control a puck. However, the goalie had a misunderstanding with his defenders and left the game equipment there. Michele Marchetti, who was not far from this hustle and bustle, didn't need to be asked twice and played the exposed target to Dante Hannoun, who only had to push it into the free-standing goal to make it 1-0.

Dante Hannoun high-fives with his teammates. © Vanna Antonello

The Azzurri didn't score again for a long time. It wasn't until the third third that the siren sounded again in Neumarkt when Marco Zanetti scored a goal to make it 2-0. Zanetti was also the culprit around ten minutes later when he converted a wonderful pass from Tommy Purdeller into a 3-0 lead. The final score was 4-0 guaranteed by Leonardo Felicetti, who swept the disc over the line after a shot from Pascal Brunner.

Despite this offensive rebellion in the third period, the shots with blank cartridges from before should not be forgotten. The Blue Team will have to work on this lack of efficiency in the first two thirds before the home World Cup. On Tuesday the Azzurri will play against Hungary in Meran (19.30 p.m.).

Italy – South Korea 4:0

Italy: Bernard (Smith); Spornberger Seed, Casetti-Gios, Amorosa-Insam, Glira; Marchetti-Finoro-Hannoun, Deluca-Catenacci-De Luca, Mantinger-Purdeller-Zanetti, Conci-Felicetti-Brunner

Gates:1:0 Hannoun (12.34), 2:0 Zanetti (42.51), 3:0 Zanetti (53.56), 4:0 Felicetti (59.54)

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