As in 2019, the four semi-finalists (Argentina,France,Portugal and Spain) are back to compete for the Men's Rink Hockey medals. On Friday, they will battle for a place in the gold-medal final, but the medals will not be awarded until Sunday evening.
France-Portugal (17:15) is a date with history for the French, winners of Group B. Portugal have not been there since 2022, but are the reigning European champions. France beat Switzerland 9-0 in their quarter-final (the three Di Benedetto brothers each scored twice), while Portugal defeated Angola 5-1 (Nunes scored a hat-trick). The second semi-final will be Spain-Argentina (20:00), a rematch of the 2024 final, won by Spain, and also of the 2015 final, won by Argentina. Spain beat Chile 3-0, while Argentina defeated Italy in the most exciting match of the quarter-final day. Romero sealed the 4-1 scoreline with two goals. The two semi-finals, Italy-Chile (11:45) and Angola-Switzerland (14:30), will also determine the placings from fifth to eighth. Carlo di Benedetto (France) remains top scorer with 7 goals, while Portugal's Rocha and Nunes are close behind with 6 and 5 goals respectively.
Today, the Intercontinental Championship group winner will be decided, with Colombia taking on Austria (15:00). Both teams have secured their fourth consecutive win. Austria beat South Africa 13-0 (five goals for Hagspiel, four for Lariz), while Colombia won 7-2 against Australia (three for Aristizabal). Brazil confirmed their third-place finish with a 6-3 win over Mexico (two goals each for Dias and Gembre). Tomorrow brings the final day, with the last decisive matches moving from SND Arenita to COP Arena, where the semi- finals and final will be played. The final is scheduled for 18 October at 12:45.
WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP MEN - COP ARENA
Quarter-finals - 15 October
11:45 – Argentina – Italy = 4-1
14:30 – Spain – Chile = 3-0
17:15 – Angola – Portugal = 1-5
20:00 – France – Switzerland = 9-0
Semi-Finals - 16 October
11:45 – 5/8 place - Italy-Chile
14:30 – 5/8 place – Angola-Switzerland
17:15 – 1/4 place – France-Portugal
20:00 – 1/4 place – Spain-Argentina
Finals - 17-18 October
17/10 – 16:15 – Final 7th-8th place
17/10 – 19:00 – Final 5th/6th place
18/10 – 16:15 – Final 3rd/4th place
18/10 – 19:00 – Final 1st/2nd place
INTERCONTINENTAL CUP MEN - SND ARENITA
3rd Matchday - 14 October
10:30 - Australia-Austria = 1-5
12:45 - Mexico-Colombia = 1-4
15:00 - South Africa-Brazil = 1-9
4th Matchday - 15 October
12:00 - Austria-South Africa = 13-0
14:15 - Mexico-Brazil = 3-6
16:30 - Colombia-Australia = 7-2
Standing: Austria and Colombia 12 points, Brazil 6, Mexico 3 points, Australia and South Africa 1 point
5th Matchday - 16 October
10:30 - Australia-Brazil
12:45 - Mexico-South Africa
15:00 - Colombia-Austria
Semi-finals – 17 October – COP Arena
11:45 – 2nd Group-3rd Group
14:00 - 1st Group-4th Group
Finals - 18 October – COP Arena
12:45 – Winners of the semi-finals