No goal again: Blue Team loses to zero

In contrast to the games against Sweden and Switzerland, the “Azzurri” managed to get through the first few minutes unscathed. In the offensive game, however, Joachim Ramoser & Co. found it incredibly difficult to create even the slightest threat - and when an opportunity arose, Clayton Beddoes' team handled it carelessly.

On the other hand, the Latvians, cheered on by the crowd, increasingly came under attack on Andreas Bernard's goal over the course of the first third, but were unable to capitalize on their chances to score. That took revenge, as Italy took the lead through Diego Kostner. However, according to video evidence, the goal was correctly disallowed because Angelo Miceli was offside. So it remained a flattering 0-0 until the end of the first third. This was mainly thanks to Bernard, who defused a total of 21 shots.

Latvia was clearly the better team. © AP / Ronald Zak

In the second third it continued in the same pattern: nimble Latvians sluggishly closed down “Azzurri” time and time again, but did not manage to find a way past the outstanding Bernard - until the 30th minute. Then Roberts Bukarts scored the long overdue opening goal with a goal. Bitter, because shortly before Alex Lambacher missed the huge chance to make it 1-0. Italy then came under even more pressure than before. Bernard excelled with “big saves” almost every minute, but was powerless when Rihards Marenis made it 0-2. After 40 minutes, the Latvians had already fired 52 shots at the Italian goal, the Blue Team only eight. Teodors Blugers made it 3-0 with an empty-net goal. © APA/afp / VLADIMIR SIMICEK

However, what you have to give credit to the newcomer, who was clearly worse in terms of quality, was the effort. Marco Insam & Co. threw themselves into every shot from the start, defended self-sacrificingly and, like Ramoser, had to leave the ice several times with their faces distorted in pain. That was one of the reasons why it remained a 0-3 defeat until the end. But the greatest respect goes to Bernard, who saved an incredible 62 shots. Denmark with a landslide victory In the parallel game, Great Britain had a similar chance against Denmark. However, the promoted team did not have an outstanding goalkeeper like Bernard in their ranks and so clearly lost the game 0:9. For NHL players Perlini & Co. it was the third defeat in the third game. Denmark, on the other hand, has to hope for a miracle despite the victory if they want to qualify for the quarter-finals.

Italy – Latvia 0:3

Italy: Bernard (De Filippo Roia); Trivellato-Pavlu, McMonagle-Helfer, Hofer-Marchetti, Zanatta-Tauferer; Gander-Andergassen-Deluca, Hochkofler-Lambacher-Kostner, Miceli-D. Kostner-Insam, Bardaro-Rosa-Ramoser Coach: Clayton Beddoes

Latvia: Gudlevskis (Merzlikins); Freibergs-Sotnieks, Balinskis-Cibulskis, Galvins-Kulda, Zile-Marenis; Darzins-Blugers-Bukarts, Balcers-Bicevskis-Bukarts, Kenins-Batna-Gegeris, Dzierkals-Indrasis-Meija Coach: Bob Hartley

Goals: 0:1 Bukarts (29.11), 0:2 Marenis (38.14), 0:3 Blugers (59.04)

Group B: Pos Country Games Points 1. Russia 3 9 2. Switzerland 2 6 3. Sweden 3 6 4. Czechia 3 6 5. Latvia 3 6 6. Austria 2 0 7. Norway 3 0 8. Italy 3 0

Great Britain – Denmark 0:9 Goals: 0:1 Jesper Jensen (8.49), 0:2 Bau (9.37), 0:3 Poulsen (12.11), 0:4 Bruggisser (21.08), 0:5 Eller (23.17), 0:6 Nicklas Jensen (24.38 ), 0:7 Nicklas Jensen (31.00), 0:8 Poulsen (35.44), 0:9 Poulsen (51.53)

Group a: Pos Country Games Points 1. Finland 3 7 2. Germany 2 6 3. Canada 3 6 4. Denmark 3 5 5. USA 3 5 6. Slovakia 3 3 7. France 2 1 8. Great Britain 3 0

Football

Italy

International leagues

International

Winter sports

Tennis

Other sports

Motorsport

Cycling

Watersports

Events

Favorites

No goal again: Blue Team loses to zero

The Italian national team suffered its next defeat at the World Cup. On Tuesday, the “Azzurri” lost against Latvia “only” 0-3 thanks to an outstanding performance from Andreas Bernard.

Suggestions

Comments (0)