Pool A on display in Cernusco, with an amazing match between Switzerland and Ukraine, with a draw that give to both teams only one point; a great game, full of emotions, goals and great fighting; probably best game of the tournament.

In the  first minutes of the game is really clear the Ukraine's planning game; infact Ukraine starts immediately to organize a high pressing on Switzerland's defense, so that they can't play as the would. Ukraine's tactic doesn't allow to his opponent to build a concrete game, and in this way the match doesn't see many chances on both sides.

First true chance is at 12', for Switzerland, but his penalty corner is blocked by the defense. At 19' Buriatynskyi is able to skip two defenders with a trick, but his attempt is blocked by a good intervation by Bohnlein. At 24', in a minute everything changes; an Ukraine's goal is disallowed by the umpire, but they haven't the time to complain that on the other side Switzerland is able to score, after a good pass and go, that is finalized by Hug for the advantage. At 31' Barlocher saves his team, stopping a Ukrainian striker alone in front of the goalkeeper, after that he had skipped two man with a magic trick. With only a few minutes remaining Ukraine finds the draw, signed by Yakovenko with a strong drive from the top of the D.

The second half is a true and authentic war, with four goals and seven yellow cards, that show how both teams don't want give up, but win the game.

All the second half is a battle for every single ball, with a lot of chances and opportunity on both sides. At 41' Ukraine complains again for another goal disallowed, this time for high dangerous ball. At 42' Switzerland is smart to take advantage of two Ukraine's yellow cards and scores by Messerli B, with a well done drive shot from the top of the D. Ukraine doesn't show signs to give up, and at 49' is very close to the draw, but Bohnlein is great to save twice. But the draw is in the air, and Koshelenko is enough strong to avoid two tackle and score the goal for the 2 to 2. At 55' Ukraine finds advantage, with a amazing goal by Tsyma, that stops perfectly an high throw from the defense and with a lob-shot pushes the ball behind Bohnlein's shoulders. After the Ukraine's third goal the game becomes a bar's brawl, with strong tackles and a rain of cards.

Even with all the cards, the match remains wonderful; in the last ten minutes Ukraine misses the opportunity to close the game because of some save by Bohnlein, while Switzerland tries to win his difficulty, pushing his players to limit. At 67' Switzerland efforts receive his prize, when Messerli B. scores again, restoring the balance definitively. In the last minutes both teams try to gain the final win, but the game ends with a draw, 3-3, that probabbly is the right and correct result according what we have seen on the field.

These are the worlds of Andrii Rickly for Switzerland:" We were so close, really close to win, but it's right the draw; game was very fast, a good hockey, but we took to much cards, Ukraine too; we are been lucky in the end, but it was right; now we have to think to Russia, because it'a a very strong and talented team, but we need one point to reach the final." Instead these are the words of Tsyma Dmytro for Ukraine: "We played very well, but i'm unhappy about umpires and the goals disallowed, because they were good; all the players are not satisfaced because they have played well, and they were so close to defeat Switzerland; next match is basic for us, because we have to win, but it won't be easy." Man of the match Ukraine: Koval Serhii Gk Man of the match Switzerland: Böhnlein Nicholas Gk

16/07/2012, 20:15 - Claudio Boni

In the second match of the day Russia overcame Czech Republic 10-1 

Team Russia plays a perfect game, and at the end of the afternoon the score talks about a game ended 10 to 1 for Russia,against Czech utRepublic; with this win Russia has gained the pass to final match for the promotion.

 

The match started well for Czech. rep, with a penalty corner in the first minute, but it is wasted by them; this mistake is the beginning of the end for Czech team, that will not more be able to stop his opponent.

 

The secret for Russia's succes is the counter attack, their best weapon, with russian players that are totally lethal every time that they have the possibility to run on the sidelines or with large spaces. At 3' Kuzmin scores the first goal of his team, finalizing a perfect counter attack. At' 12 Khairullin signs the second goals of the game, always at end of a really fast counter attack. From 19', until to the end the game for Czech Rep becomes a true nightmare, with Erlebach that is forced to rise up a white flag, without the chance to do anything to save his team. At middle of first half Russia starts to sniff the smell of blood like a shark in the ocean, and in ten minutes they destroy czech's defense and hopes, scoring 4 goals: at 24' by Kuraev, at 25' by Zamalutdinov, at 27' again by Khairullin, at 33' by Fattakhov.

 

During the Russian storm Czech Rep. finds the pride to score a goal, signed by Barta, but it doesn't change anything. The first half ends so 6 to 1 for Russia. Second half is the same thing, a simple parade and opportunity for Russia's strikers to show their skills. The match ends with a heavy result for Czech republic, 10 to 1 with 4 goals for Russia in last 35' minutes; at 37' by Khairullin, third goal for him; at 43' by Proskuryakov; at 48' by Bolshakov; at 61 by Kuraev.

 

Although the heavy loose, Czech republic deserves respect, because they have never given up, playing until the end.

 

These are the words of Miroslav Ludvik, Czech's coach:" we have played bad, we made a lot of individual mistakes; from the stretching-time we understood that we were in a bad physical conditions, and our players could play hard no more that 15- minutes in the game; we left too much large spaces to Russia, and they killed us; yesterday we played better, because we were more motiveted and we made less mistakes; my guys have never played together before this trophy, and we have also problem of age's difference, sometimes we seemed children in front of Russian players; but i have to say they are a very good team, that deserves it."

 

Instead these are the words of Akunev Marsel, Gk for Russia: " A good match for us, with good pass and other things, but we could score more goals; yestarday we missed some goals, but today we have had more chances than previous match; tomorrow we have to win, no matter if we are already in the final, every game is important." Man of the match Russia: Matkovsiy Amir Man of the match Czech Rep: Korytak

16/07/2012, 21:48 - Claudio Boni