The Pavilhao Dr Salvador Machado was crowded for the last two semifinals of the day: an exciting and balanced match between Italy and Spain, won 1-0 by the defending European Champions and an easy but fought victory for Portugal against Switzerland.

Austria - Germany 0-9
Germany won the derby against Austria and gained the access to the 5th place final, whilst Austria will play for the 7th position in the ranking. It was not an easy game at all for the team coached by Mark Berenbeck: there was a clear technical superiority that Germany was not able to take advantage of, missing two penalties with both Lukas Karschau and Kai Milewski. Kevin Karschau reached to unblock the score only at 3 minutes to the end of the first time. Back from the locker rooms, the German mistakes on the penanlty spot continued when Kevin Karschau was unable to convert the 10th Austrian fault. Soon after, however, Sergio Pereira hit the second goal. At 5', Austria had the chance to reduce the gap when Kevin Karschau has been banished, but Pagant missed the direct free hit. It was again Sergio Pereira who converted after Pafant's banishment. At 8', Austria was again on the penalty shot - Germany's 10th fault - but Huber did not convert it and Milewski scored the 4-0 on counter attack. Germans could get even more advantage, but Peinke missed both a direct free hit and a penalty. A well focused Lucas Karschau scored after Magister's banishment and then again in powerplay - second banishment for Pafant. Austria was at the ropes and Germany scored three more goals: Kevin Karschau, Benjamin Nusch and Kevin Kaschau.

France vs England 5-2
Tomorrow, France will play against Germany for the 5th place, but coach Savreux' team had serious difficulties in defeating an England team at its best match in this tournament. Think that, at the end of the first period, England was leading 1-0 thanks to the penalty converted by Mount. In the second period, French players improved their percentage even if the first good action, arrived after 7", was a penalty missed by Herman. At 9', France tied thanks to Carlo Di Benedetto who converted the direct free hit - 10th English fault. The tie waked up France: second goal for Carlo Di Benedetto and David's double. The second English goal, direct free hit for Mount, was not enough because, after missing a direct free hit due to Baker's banishment, Carlo Di Benedetto scored the last 5-2 in powerplay.

Italy - Spain 1-0
A quite balanced semifinal between Italy and Spain awarded the better Italian defense: Spain pushed more and more but it never was able to pass over an enormous Leonardo Barozzi. The match has been decided in the first time, when Ambrosio scored following a Spanish error: the Iberians left him on the parquet after the referee action; he stood up and received Verona's assist to beat Grau. At the end of the first time, Spain was close to the goal when Selva hit the goalpost. Back to the rink, it was very hard for Italy: Bancells hit the barrier at the first minute and a goalpost at the second; Rodriguez missed a penalty. Italy needed 5 minutes to recover and at 7' had the chance to double, but Ambrosio took the barrer on the direct free hit. At 9' penalty for Bargallo: Barozzi stopped it with his leg. The Italian goalie stopped many Spanish attacks during the last part of the second time. Tomorrow the defending champion will meet the host team.

Switzerland - Portugal 0 -8
Portugal confirmed the expectations and won without any problem the match against Switzerland. The last semifinal is a kind of POrtuguese soliloqui and team coached by Senica soon scored the first goal by captain Rodrigues. He doubled at 10' after the banishment of Kissling and Barreiros. Gonçalo Alves scored the third goal before the stop whistle of the first period. Back from the locker rooms, Portugal kept pn scoring, already tasting the victory: Ventura converted a penalty, Joao Rodrigues doubled again; it was then the turn of Barreiros and Alves. Switzerland tryed to contain the attacks and the last score is a copy of the qualification match: 8-0. Tomorrow Portugal will try to tear off the European title of the the defending champions and Switzerland will play against Spain for the Bronze Medal.

RESULTS
Semi-final 5th/8th place: Austria - Germany 0-9
Semi-final 5th/8th place: France - England 5-2
Semi-final 1st/4th place: Italy - Spain 1-0
Semi-final 1st/4th place: Switzerland - Portugal 0-8

TOMORROW SCHEDULE
3.00 PM WET Final 7th/8th place: Austria - England
5.00 PM WET Final 5th/6th place: Germany - France
7.00 PM WET Final 3rd/4th place: Spain - Switzerland
9.00 PM WET Final 1st/2nd place: Italy - Portugal

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Pictures by Marzia Cattini