Ice hockey: The World Cup balance sheet

The “Azzurri” impressively achieved their goal of promotion to the world group. For this reason alone, the “Blue Team” around helmsman Tom Pokel deserves a good grade. He has instilled a new mentality in his team over the past two months since his inauguration. In the next 12 months we need to set the course so that the team can secure relegation in the World Group in Minsk in 2014. In any case, the signs are good.

Captain Egger: “We can look to the future with confidence” Despite the defeat in the final group game against Kazakhstan, captain Alexander Egger's balance sheet is very positive. But not just because of the promotion. “It was a very nice experience. We played a very good World Cup and can look to the future with confidence. I was very impressed by Diego Kostner, who is a very good player and who has the future in this national team. It will be very difficult in the A group, but I think we can compete with some teams that are stronger than us on paper.”

Many things have changed positively since Tom Pokel was inaugurated. “We play the game and are much more determined. We no longer focus exclusively on defense. That is the most important difference. In Minsk it is now important to determine whether they will stay in the league. Maybe Plastino and De Marchi will be there too. We now have a year to prepare for it,” said Egger Weiter, who played his 100th game with the national team in Budapest.

The basic framework Italy's national team still has room for improvement. However, the “Blue Team” also has some certainties. Adam Dennis saved 95 percent of the shots fired at his goal. Helfer, Borgatello and Egger have a lot of experience in defense and will continue to put this into the service of the team in the coming years. The “Azzurri” were the most efficient in penalty killing.

In attack, young Diego Kostner and Pat Iannone were the rays of hope. Although Kostner is only 20 years old, the Val Gardena native, who plays for Lugano, showed great maturity in his game. Iannone, the Wolves attacker, scored four times for Italy and was the top scorer for the “Blue Team”. Iannone and Dennis were selected for the World Cup team.

The Italian team is back where it always wants to be – among the best teams in the world. In Minsk we have to fight to stay in the league in a year's time. But also about having fun – and making it fun for the fans.

The list of the “Azzurri” at the World Cup in the 1st Division in Budapest Goalkeeper: Adam Dennis (Dornbirn-AUT) - 4 games Andreas Bernard (Saipa-FIN) - 1 game

Defender: Alexander Egger (HC Bozen) - 1 assist Christian Borgatello (HC Bozen) - 2 assists Andrea Ambrosi (HC Bozen) Armin Helfer (HC Pustertal) Armin Hofer (HC Pustertal) - 1 goal + 2 assist Dan Sullivan (Asiago) - 1 goal Stefano Marchetti (Asiago) - 1 goal Trevor Johnson (Valpellice) - 3 assists

Striker: Anton Bernard (HC Bozen) - 2 assists Marco Insam (HC Bozen) Markus Gander (HC Bozen) - 1 goal Rob Sirianni (Valpellice) - 1 goal + 2 assist Nate Di Casmirro (Valpellice) - 1 goal + 1 assist Giulio Scandella (HC Pustertal) Pat Iannone (HC Pustertal) - 4 goals + 2 assist Dave Borrelli (Asiago) - 2 goals + 1 assist Nicola Fontanive (Alleghe) - 4 assists Vince Rocco (Alleghe) - 2 goals + 2 assists Luca Felicetti (Cortina) - 2 assists Diego Kostner (Lugano-SUI) - 1 goal + 2 assist

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Ice hockey: The World Cup balance sheet

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