Alcobendas 2014: It's a 2-2 and Italy goes down in history

Rink Hockey
It has been 11 years that Spain kept on winning: 3940 days, 63 matches in a row - between Europeans and World Championships. It has been the longest winning loop in the histry of rink hockey.


 





 



The last time the Spanish team has been beated was at the World Championships Semifinal in Oliveira de Azeimes on 3 octuber 2003: Italy won 4-3 and scratched Spain. The match competed today was the very first test for the Italian team: the "Azzurri" showed perseverance, resolution and strategic management of the game. Spain missed Bargallo, because of a bereavement, and his absence was relevant. The match was thrilling and  involving since th very first minutes. Ambrosi scored the first goal and the entire Italian team stood up to the Spanish attacks till quite the end of the first time when Spain equalized with a goal by Costa. In the restart, the first chance for Italy arrived with the tenth faul of Spain, but Malian defended the post. After a few minutes, the tenth faul was for Italy but also Spain was unable to score. At 3.30 minutes to the end, another penalty in favour of Italy and this was the good one: Ambrosio scored and Italy seemed to be on the way to the victory. A few seconds later, Costa hitten up the 2-2 and that was the final result. Both Italy and Spain are still in competition for the podium.