Rink Hockey never disappoints. Vilanova lived the first "gold night" for rink hockey at the World Roller Games ongoing in Barcelona. A Spanish night: hot, incredible, historic and full of joy at the end.
In the semifinal, the "Roja" dethroned Portugal, the reigning champion since 2013 for three times in a row. Tonight, the guys of coach Sergi Macia completed their challenge: recovering from 0-2 at half time and winning 3-2 at the end of an amazing game, perhaps technically and tactically not so perfect, but certainly engaging and exciting for the 1.500 spectators at the Isac Galvez sport hall and the many more watching the final on rollergames.tv.
Spain-Argentina has been two different matches in a single game. The first one corresponding to the first half, when Argentina seemed to clearly prevale. The South-American were faster, more accurate and much more resolute than Spain. Gerard Perez, Spain' goalies, was the MVP of its team in this "first game", despite the goals suffered from Bruno Alonso and Fabrizio Torres (another amazing direct hit, its own peculiarity).
Something must have happend during the ten minutes between the first and second half, because another game started, completely different from the previous. And Spain made the difference: attacking, pressing, defending in a solid way and putting Argentina in its half rink, shooting and cutting spaces over and over again. And scoring: once with Roc Pujadas, then with a penalty by Aleix Marimont and then with Pujada again, the MVP of the "second game".
Only after the come back of Span, Argentina found the energy to try to tie the match. The last minute of the match were a siege to Perez' cage, made in powerplay in the last 90 seconds, with Argentina replacing the goalie with a fifth rink player. Everything useless: Spain wins the first edition of the U19 World Championship and returns at the top of the podium in a junior world competition after 8 years. Argentina is waiting for its turn since 2005 and has to wait for the next edition: San Juan 2021.
Portugal, the previous champion, got the bronze medal winning against Italy 4-1.
WORLD ROLLER GAMES - BARCELONA 2019 - RINK HOCKEY - MALE UNDER 19
Results of the last matchday - Friday, July 5th
World Championship
Final 3rd/4th place: Italy - Portugal 1-4
Final 1st/2nd place: Argentina - Spain 2-3
WORLD ROLLER GAMES - BARCELONA 2019 - RINK HOCKEY - MALE SENIOR
Schedule of the 1st matchday - Saturday, July 6th
World Championship - Vilanova i la Geltru
6.00 PM Angola - Italy
10.00 PM Spain - France
WORLD ROLLER GAMES - BARCELONA 2019 - RINK HOCKEY - FEMALE SENIOR
Schedule of the 1st matchday - Saturday, July 6th
World Championship - Vilanova i la Geltru
12.00 PM France - Chile
2.00 PM Argentina - Germany
4.00 PM Italy - Portugal
8.00 PM Spain - Switzerland
Follow WRG19 Rink Hockey livescores, standings and schedule here: www.rinkhockey.wrg2019.com
Media assets: https://bit.ly/2NgG1iz
PHOTO CREDIT: MARZIA CATTINI
