Olympic qualification: The “Azzurri” believe in the sensation

Four teams, one goal. These are the signs for the four-country tournament in Baden-Württemberg, which the “Blue Team” will also attend. The opening game on Thursday against Austria already has a kind of final character. We urgently need three points against our red-white-red neighbors to avoid falling behind prematurely. Neo-coach Tom Pokel's 23-man squad includes twelve South Tyroleans - including defender Christian Borgatello. “It will be a very difficult task because we only had a short preparation time. Nevertheless, we are going into the test of strength full of confidence, also because Pokel has imposed a new game system on us and brought a breath of fresh air into the team. “Austria and Germany may be better on paper, but we believe in our chance,” explains the Merano native. He also finds clear words regarding Luciano Aquino's absence: “There are several versions as to why he didn't join us. The fact is that we don’t need players like that on our team.”

Pokel: “We will play offensively” In Bietigheim, Tom Pokel will make his official debut in the national team's coaching bench. He wants to impress with offensive ice hockey: “I had little time to inoculate the players with the new system. Nevertheless, we will try to put the opponent under pressure. I am convinced that we will look good.”

The opponents The Netherlands are the weakest team in the group on paper, while Olympic qualification will probably only come through Germany and Austria. The home side are clearly the favorites due to their team full of young, talented players. Pat Cortina's team is led by veterans Alexander Barta (Rögle/Sweden) and striker Michael Wolf (Iserlohn Roosters). Coach Manny Viveiros' Austrian team relies entirely on experience. Defender Mario Altmann (Villach), the 2,20 m tall Andrè Lakos (Vienna Capitals) and striker Thomas Koch (Klagenfurt) undoubtedly stand out from the squad.

The schedule These four teams will decide among themselves the final starting place for the Olympic tournament. Italy will play the opening game on Thursday at 16 p.m. against Austria, the next day Germany will be the opponent (19.30:XNUMX p.m.) before the tournament ends against the Netherlands on Thursday.

The Italian squad: Goalies: Daniel Bellissimo (Timra/SWE), Thomas Tragust (Innsbruck/AUT), Adam Dennis (Alleghe)

Defender: Alexander Egger, Christian Borgatello (Bozen), Trevor Johnson (Valpellice), Nicholas Plastino (Karlskoga/SWE), Matt De Marchi (Milan), Armin Helfer, Armin Hofer, Christian Willeit (Pustertal)

Striker: Giulio Scandella (Oskarhamm/SWE), Nathan Di Casmirro, Robert Sirianni (Valpellice), Emanuel Scelfo (Ritten), Diego Kostner (Lugano), Pat Iannone (Pustertal), Vince Rocco, Nicola Fontanive (Alleghe), Markus Gander, Anton Bernard , Marco Insam (Bozen), Diego Iori (Milan)

Head coach: Tom Pokel Assistant coach: Fabio Polloni, Alex Gschliesser

Olympic qualification program in Bietigheim-Bissingen (GER), 7th-10th. February 2013 Thursday, February 7, 2013 16:00 p.m.: Austria – Italy 19:30 p.m.: Germany – Netherlands

Friday, 8th of February 2013 16:00 p.m.: Austria – Netherlands 19:30 p.m.: Germany – Italy

Saturday, 9th February 2013 Game free

Sunday, 10th of February 2013 11:45 a.m.: Netherlands – Italy 15:15 p.m.: Germany – Austria

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Olympic qualification: The “Azzurri” believe in the sensation

The time has come on Thursday at 16 p.m., when the Italian national ice hockey team will try to qualify for the Olympic Games in Sochi at the four-man tournament in Bietigheim-Bissingen. Christian Borgatello: “We believe in the big sensation. Anything is possible in three direct meetings.”

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