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Bryce Misley (in the air) and Nick Saracino celebrate a goal. © Vanna Antonello/FISG
Gala performance: Italy conjures its way into the top division
Italy secured promotion with a furious victory against Romania in the last game of the Ice Hockey World Championship of the First Division (Group A).
03 Maj 2025
From: do
From an Italian perspective, this World Cup in the first division (Group A) was marked by ups and downs – but in the end, euphoria reigned. Ukraine had lost unexpectedly to Japan at midday, the Azzurri didn't let the promotion opportunity that was practically handed to them on a silver platter slip away. Against host Romania, the Blue Team played ice hockey of the highest order, winning 7-1 and securing promotion to the top division of the Ice Hockey World Championship.
Sure, Romania was by far the weakest team in this tournament, and Italy entered this deciding game as the clear favorite. But what the Azzurri conjured up on the ice was truly impressive. For example, hockey talents Tommy Purdeller and Dustin Gazely pulled out all the stops several times and literally played the Eastern Europeans' defense dizzy. The entire team, which had missed the start of two periods in the game against Poland, appeared highly motivated, ice-cold, and perfectly prepared from the start on Saturday – despite the absence of captain Thomas Larkin, who was ill.
The confidence was palpable in every trick, every razor-sharp pass, and every play – an expression of Italy's winning mentality, which shone through clearly on Saturday. The Azzurri desperately wanted to advance. And Romania? The hosts' defense, in particular, seemed hopelessly overwhelmed by the numerous dangerous attacks – and at times even intimidated. There was little going forward either. Throughout the entire 60 minutes, it never seemed as if the Blue Team was losing control. The Azzurri were simply a class above the rest and finally brought that to the ice in the form of goals.
Italy's triumph step by step
| Lightning start | Once again, an Italian game gets off to a fast start. This time, it's the Azzurri who take the lead in no time thanks to Luca Frigo, who finds himself unmarked in front of the opposing goal. A little later, Tedesco reacts quickest and puts the puck over the line to make it 2-0 – 4.12:XNUMX. |
| Tolle Reaction | After Valchar reduced the deficit to 1-2 with a powerful wrist shot, Italy reacted swiftly. Saracino drove from behind and shot Toke on the pads. Mantenuto coolly converted the rebound to make it 3-1. Romania's defense was already asleep again – 15.31:XNUMX. |
| Misley increases | Ierullo puts the puck on goal, but Toke can only parry the attempt. Misley grabs the abandoned puck, first hits the post, and then converts his own follow-up shot for a celebrated 4-1 – 32.00:XNUMX. |
| It's raining goals | Italy does what it wants on the power play. Finally, Zanatta's shot from the blue line finds its way into the top right corner to make it 5-1. Shortly before the end of the second period, Tedesco gets another shot, making it 6-1 at 39.24:XNUMX. |
| On and on | Somewhat unluckily, Romanian defender Laday deflects a Zanetti shot into his own goal to make it 7-1 – 44.46. |
At 17:02 p.m. (CEST), the moment finally arrived. The final whistle sounded in the Sepsi Arena in Sfântu Gheorghe, and Italy celebrated. The mission to advance could finally be accomplished. The players and coaching staff embraced each other. But the tournament isn't over yet. If Great Britain loses to Poland in regular time, Italy would even win the title. The final match of this World Cup takes place at 18.30:XNUMX p.m.
Italy – Romania 7-1
ITA: Fadani (Smith); Trivellato-Di Tomaso, Zanatta-Pietroniro, Di Perna-Seed, Glira; Tedesco-Purdeller-Gazley, Ierullo-Misley-Saracino, Mantinger-Kostner-Zanetti, Frigo-Mantenuto.RUM: Toke (Adorjan); Bors-Ferencz Csibi, Mesikammen-Williams, Sallo-Laday; Szilard Rokaly-Reszegh-Peter, Valchar-Molnar-Sandor Szekely, Skachkov-Gliga-Filip, Norbert Rokaly-Gajdo-Fodor.
Gates: 1:0 Frigo (2.50), 2:0 Tedesco (4.12), 2:1 Valchar (14.39), 3:1 Mantenuto (15.31), 4:1 Misley (32.00), 5:1 Zanatta (37.01), 6:1 Tedesco (39.24), 7:1 Zanetti (44.46)
The other games on Saturday
Japan – Ukraine 3:2Goals: 0:1 Zakharov (4.58), 1:1 Nakajima (13.22), 2:1 Irikura (29.38), 3:1 Suzuki (30.31), 3:2 Vorona (49.40)
Great Britain – Poland (18.30:XNUMX p.m.)
The table
| Pos | Name | Country | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Italy | 5 | 10 |
| 2. | Great Britain | 4 | 9 |
| 3. | Ukraine | 5 | 9 |
| 4. | Japan | 5 | 7 |
| 5. | Poland | 4 | 6 |
| 6. | Romania | 5 | 1 |
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