The Star Spangled Banner was riding out in the Pala Bolino last night, as the unstoppable Americans dominated the tournament from the start to take their 20th major World Championship.  On their way to the top they overcame every obstacle, and proved their reputation as the dominant force of Inline Hockey at the moment.  The story of these games doesn’t stop there, as we were treated to a theatre of outstanding sport, drama and lasting memories for the ages.  In this grandest of grand finals, the two clear favourites had won out all opposition to meet head to head in a masterclass of this game.  It was Czechia who opened the scoring, off a bolt of lightning from as far away as Wenceslas Square emanating from the thunderous stick of Petr Skoloud, taking a tidy and typically efficient and clean feed from long time Captain Jakub Bernad.  This rocked the Americans, but only into serious action.  They immediately stepped up a gear and started to clearly dominate the possession and control, locking the Czechs into a defensive stance.  This was accurately predicted by USA Coach, Tim McManus just prior to the match.  Sensing that the tide was turning, Czechia called a Timeout to settle their game into a more suitable rhythm for them.  They did have some colourful moments, and a few blistering shots, but all easily deflected by Leading Goaltender for the tournament, Troy Redman.  Then in just as quick a flash as the first goal, USA’s Nick Dellamorte caught a tip off a fierce feed fromJoe Dimartino.  The atmosphere erupted and the entire arena sat forward, recognising what a game was now In prospect.  USA were inspired, and found themselves even a step further in front of the pace and pressure, while the Czechs attempted all sorts of creative and technical solutions to the out and out grit and grind of the Americans.  The half was a welcome relief for the bohemian bunch.  Even more so when they received a generous man advantage from a Joe Dimartino Boarding call.  The Czechs threw the sink at them, firing from all corners in an ever tightening noose, but the Yanks were inspired in defence, and when the did finally break out, Scott Savage sent a whip of a puck into the danger zone, and caught the merest whisker of Ross Garret’s stick tape.  It was enough to deviate from the trajectory and straight into the back of the net.  Czechs continued to battle, often valiantly, sometimes brilliantly, but never successfully.  Team USA retained possession, control of the pace and ultimately the game, and at the final whistle, it was the Stars and Stripes flag yet waving in the air triumphantly.  The Czechs were honourable runners up, and accepted their deserved Silver Medal with dignity and grace befitting of the true gentlemen on this legendary team.  A sincere congratulations to both teams for their display of genuine excellence and sporting talent for our delight all over the world.  A great game and one to remember in history.  Just prior, Namibia and the hosts Italy made history of their own when they met to decide the Bronze medal.  Italy always looked the slightly more consistent team in this match, having had a number of nobles and sketchy moments in their buildup to this final for them.  They also had to overcome a kind of African magic, conjured by the Windhoek Team to perform more miracles than ever thought possible in their brief history at world level.  This one proved too much for them, and they had to be satisfied with conceding the Bronze to the home team, and a great result for the local fans who were delighted to see their team celebrate a podium finish.  Other notable results include team Canada, against the predicted odds, making it into the Top 7 positions, for a place in the World Games 2025 (being held in Chengdu, China), And Chinese Taipei, making 5th position overall with a tournament shaking performance leaving everyone stunned at their physical and mental toughness.  The full results of the tournament, which now feed into the multi-year world ranking system, are as follows, from the bottom to the top: India, Chile, China, Poland, Japan, Brazil, Mexico, Germany, Australian, Colombia, Great Britain, Spain, Belgium, Slovakia, Switzerland, France, Sweden, Canada, Argentina, Chinese Taipei, Namibia, Italy, Czechia, USA.  Of course the celebrations went on late into the night in Roccaraso, but the impact of these games was surely felt around the world, and for some time to come.  With the greatest number of participating teams and participants ever at a world Championship, and some of the very best talent, new and legacy, young and experienced, all on grand display, Inline Hockey looks healthier than ever.  A greater worldwide audience reached than ever before, with better coverage right from the heart of the games from passionate and knowledgeable teams of volunteers and staff, World Skate Inline Hockey returns its members home with a sense of achievement and pride.  We can only hope and believe that the game continues to thrive in its local, national and continental competitions, right down to the street in front of your house today.  It’s only up to us to pick up a stick and play like these superstars, who started right there with us.  To all the worldwide inline hockey family, till next time!, and happy hockey!