With Purdeller and Clara: U20 aims high

Last year the Azzurri achieved the almost obligatory promotion from the fourth to the third division. This year the Azzurrini will face Japan, Ukraine, Estonia, Poland and South Korea. Certainly not ice hockey greats, which is why the Blue Team can definitely dream of promotion. The squad is led by Tommy Purdeller, who collected 15 points in 11 games in the OHL with the Peterborough Petes. However, Italy's second North American crack, Tommaso De Luca, who is active in the WHL, will be missing. Even without De Luca, Italy has a capable team at the start: In goal, the Azzurri can count on Damian Clara, who has already made two appearances in Sweden's second-best division this season. Alessandro Segafredo, who returned to Switzerland this year after a two-year adventure in North America, should also be among the leading players. De Bettin dampens expectations “The primary goal is definitely to stay in the league,” emphasizes coach Giorgio De Bettin: “Even if it is difficult to correctly assess our level.” In the U20, the players and teams change frequently, which is why forecasts are difficult to make. “So the first two games against Ukraine and Japan will be important. After these games we will set our benchmark and know what we can achieve.” The coach of AlpsHL club Cortina is sure “that Italy will do well.” Italy's first game will take place on Sunday at 20 p.m. against Ukraine. The schedule Sunday December 11th: Italy – Ukraine (20 p.m.) Monday, December 12st: Japan – Italy (20 p.m.) Wednesday December 14th: South Korea – Italy (13 p.m.) Friday, December 16rd: Italy – Poland (16.30 p.m.) Saturday December 17th: Estonia – Italy (13 p.m.) The squad Gate: Edoardo Berti (HC Sierre), Damian Clara (Färjestad BK), Mike Reinalter (HC Eppan) Defense: Kevin Baumgartner (Wipptal Broncos/HC Pustertal), Alberto Colli (Cortina), Fabian Dellagiacoma (HC Meran), Riccardo Gorgone (Fiemme), Francesco Lacedelli (Cortina), Enrico Larcher (Cortina), Marco Matonti (HC Eppan), Filippo Rigoni (Asiago) Striker: Matteo De Baldo (Fiemme), Alex Egger (Unterland), Thomas Galimberti (Pelicans U20), Davide Girardi (Unterland), Fabian Gwickeli (Red Bull Hockey Juniors), Giacomo Lacedelli (Cortina), Alan Lobis (TUTO Hockey U20), Leo Messner (HC Gherdëina), Filippo Pompanin (Cortina), Tommy Purdeller (Peterborough Petes), Filippo Rigoni (Asiago), Alessandro Segafredo (GCK Lions), Andreas Wiesler (ESV Kaufbeuren U20), Luciano Zandegiacomo Mistrotione (HC Pustertal U19/Toblach)

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With Purdeller and Clara: U20 aims high

On Sunday, Italy's U20 national team will take part in the World Cup in the 1B division. Head coach Giorgio De Bettin is piling low before the tournament in Bytom (Poland), but the team's potential makes one dream of promotion to the second division.

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