The world of inline hockey is starry and striped. Usa took the gold medals in senior tournaments. Czech Republic got the silvers. France won bronze in men's, Spain in women's. Those are the final results after a week of games, goals and emotions on the seaside of the beautiful town of Barcelona. Usa men are back on top after 5 years. Usa women get the three-peat, establishing a dynasty.
Here's the final day resume:
SENIOR MEN
Bronze game: Canada – France 1-5
A game plan, perfectly executed. France wanted to push hard from the first shift versus Canada and the result was a 3-0 (Langlois and Ladonne twice) lead after less then 5 minutes. A gap that Canada partially fill with Woods: not enough to gain the momentum. As minutes go by, the match became nervous: it's better for France, who controlled the situation and had great effort between the pipes thanks to Lafourcade. When Gabillet scored the fourth, bronze was virtually on the french necks. Horrut closed the scoresheet. France is for the fifth time in a row on the podium in senior men. That really means something.
Gold game: Usa – Czech Republic 3-0
In front of a sold out arena in Mar Bella, Usa and Czech Republic showed what the best players in the world can do in terms of stickhandling, skating, goaltending. As expected, game was close. Like a chess game, opponents studied each other waiting for a bad move. In the first period no one scored: Frodl and Maczynski were outstanding between the pipes. In the second period, at 3.15 Peter Di Martino made some impressive moves and finally found a way to beat Frodl. The game continued with several scoring chances from both sides. Some saves were simply unbelievable. With 3.05 left on the clock, a quick transition by Pascalli and Kavaya ended into the Czechs net. That was the pivotal moment. Czechs continued to battle, pulled out the goalie but it wasn't enough. Pascalli scored on the empty net and the rest is history.
SENIOR WOMEN
Bronze game: Spain – Italy 4-3 ot
Spain got its third medal in inline hockey at the World Roller Games. It's a bronze for senior women, after an emotional game versus Italy ended 4-3. Italy took the fourth place, its best in this category. Spain won it in overtime, thanks to a long distance wrist shot by Ayala. First period was dominated by Spain, who gained two goal lead with Ramos and Ruiz. Italy changed face in the second period: Roccella with a beauty in backhand and Bisi from the slot scored for the tie. Spain took the lead again thanks to a snapshot by Munoz that went glove side. Roccella with just 37 seconds to go, equalized from the slot. What a game. Spain deserved the medal outshoting Italy 46-15.
Gold game: Usa – Czech Republic 3-1
Third straight gold for Usa in senior women. Tenth in total. It's a dynasty. Of course, final was tough against skilled czech women, but Usa played a solid game. The turning point of the game was Friedman goal with less than two minutes to play in the first. Usa built its victory on that momentum. Kyle Sanders did the rest: american star scored twice in the second and the situation became tough for the Czechs. Anyway, europeans didn't give up: captain Mrazova reduced the gap, 3-1. In the last nine minutes the Czechs tried desperately to scored again, but Rackleff was perfect.
Check WRG19 Inline Hockey livescores, standings and schedule here:
13 july Inline hockey men finals results:
Bronze medal game: Canada – France 1-5
Gold medal game: Czech Republic- Usa 0-3
13 july Inline hockey women finals results:
Bronze medal game Spain – Italy 4-3 ot
Gold medal game Usa – Czech Republic 3-1
13 July Inline hockey men other results:
Place 5-6
Spain – Switzerland 7-2
Place 11-12
Brazil – Great Britain 5-4
Place 9-10
Latvia – Colombia 2-3
Media assets: https://bit.ly/2NgG1iz
Highlights: www.wrg2019.com/media-video/
PHOTO CREDIT VANESSA ZENOBINI
