Team Canada senior women have suffered another bitter knockout, going right to the shootout against the ecstatic host nation, who had to take it to the final edge before setting Buenos Aires on fire as they progress to a dream Semifinal place against the current champions France. Having lost in the first round to their North American neighbours, only just by a fraction of millimetres and seconds in Overtime, they have suffered only their second defeat of the championship. In the same manner, there was nothing to tell between the sides throughout. Argentina opened the scoring in the first half off no 55 Maria Ignacio Reina after Kristen Toth went off for 2 mins for interference. Canada came back in the first with Jackie Jarrell, and sent the Canadians to the break with settled nerves. The second was too close to call, and only after both teams called time-out to strategise for the win, Jarell again stepped up and potted the puck to go ahead. This might have been it for the hosts, until under 2 minutes from the final buzzer Iara Haiek lifted the roof off with her goal to even the score. Only a shootout would tell the difference, and only Abril Bendinelli could find the magic needed to become the hero of Inline for Argentina. And in only those millimetres and moments, Canada went from one of the favourites for gold, to fighting for 5th place. It will be a grave disappointment for all of Team Canada, but they will hopefully recognise how well they played, and by only the tiniest of margins, we could easily be talking about a Canada France semifinal, and quite possibly a Canada v USA final. But it is Argentina that celebrate for now, and only for a short time, as they face the indefatigable les Bleus in tomorrow's semifinal.
The French marched on convincingly in their first match of the playoff, and shut out Mexico 11-0. With players like Pauline Bernard, Marina Corbeil, Aurore Gauthier and Lena Rault dominating the player stats for the tournament, it's not surprising that they seem unbeatable on their road to their possible second Gold! But the home team may have an extra spring in their step tomorrow, and she them otherwise. An unmissable match live!
Mexico now have a chance against Canada, who may either be vulnerable after their arduous struggle so far, or they may be exceptionally dangerous, and ready to pull it all back and maintain the best possible position they can. On the other side, Italy will face Columbia in the lower part of the draw. Italy has the better record going into the lower playoff, which determines places 5-8. However, Columbia played with heart and determination today against the almighty USA, and all along in the tournament. This could be a very evenly balanced match between talented sides. The only difference here may be who has the resolve to find their best and execute a revival for the best possible placing out of the top 4.
But don’t discount the other end of the table, for those teams in early development, it was a chance to play a more balanced match, and really test what they have come to learn in their journey at the Worlds so far. In this contest, the Brazilians came out on top v Uruguay, only just, by 3-1. Brazil scored two in the first off Lopes and Bassetto, split by the Uruguayan goal from Mautone. Uruguayan penalties let Patricia Gonzales slip in at 13:57 in the second to finish the match off. They will play again to consolidate the final placings in the table. That leaves one more semi-final at the top to report, and it has shaped up just as the Americans asked for. Spain played outstandingly against Italy in their quarter final, beating them 5-0 and spreading the goals around the team. This shows a kind of strength and depth that they will need to call upon in the dream Semifinal against the other undefeated and dominating team in the tournament, USA. They play that battle royal last thing tomorrow, which should see the house packed to watch the mighty Americans play the upcoming Spanish, and definitely the pick of the matches tomorrow.
No less dramatic were the playoffs in the Junior Men's competition. Starting with the lower part of the table, two sides in development were rapidly progressing, and in a balanced match for these sides, Hosts Argentina started celebrations as they beat Brazil 2-1. Then followed a dramatic match that went to overtime between two teams with equal records in the round robin. It was Namibian Josua Zeferinu, with help from Coetzee who launched them, and all of the African Inline community into their well deserved Semi-final against team USA tomorrow. USA pulled off a shock result against team France, who were undefeated up until this match, and looked to take on a vulnerable American side and progress easily. This just goes to show that anything can happen, and somehow the USA brought the “A” game, and revived their championship from near defeat. Goals from Phillips, Taylor and Pietromonaco will sear their names into the minds of the coaches at senior level, and they will be celebrating tonight no doubt. Meanwhile, the Czechs do just enough again by beating Colombia 1-0, and quietly settling themselves into semifinal position to face The utterly dominant and fierce Chinese Taipei. They cruised to victory over the Koreans, scoring no less than 13 goals. Though it is said that the Czechs often always have another gear available to them when needed, they must be looking at Cheng You Kuo, Yen Chen Tung, Bo Wei Wu and Ho Cheng Yang with respect and concern. Just enough may not be enough against this powerhouse, but you would never write them off!
So in dramatic scenes amid outstanding play and enormous talent, the die is cast for the Semifinals at the world Inline Hockey Championships. The excitement and entertainment in Buenos Aires continues today, with hope in the hearts of the local fans and Inline Hockey fans worldwide, with unmissable action in every game.
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Words Pete Wirt
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Schedule & Results
World Championship Junior Men - Thursday 27th October 2022
Pav. Europe - Final 9th/10th - 8:00 - Argentina x Brazil = 2-1
Pav. Europe - Quarterfinal 4 - 12:00 - Italy x Namibia = 2-3 (after overtime)
Pav. Africa - Quarterfinal 3 - 13:00 - Chinese Taipei x Korea = 13-1
Pav. Europe - Quarterfinal 2 - 14:00 - Czech Rep. x Colombia = 1-0
Pav. Africa - Quaterfinal 1 - 15:00 - France x USA = 0-3
World Championship Senior Women - Thursday 27th October 2022
Pav. Africa - Quarterfinal 4 - 9:00 - Spain x Italy = 5-0
Pav. Europe - Final 9th/10th place - 10:00 - Brazil x Uruguay = 3-1
Pav. Africa - Quarterfinal 3 - 11:00 - Canada x Argentina = 2-3 (after shoutout)
Pav. Africa - Quarterfinal 2 - 17:00 - France x Mexico = 11-0
Pav. Africa - Quarterfinal 1 - 19:00 - USA x Colombia = 5-1
Today's games
World Championship Junior Men - Friday 28th October 2022
Pav. Europe - Final 9th/10th - 10:00 - Brazil x Argentina (1st leg 1-2)
Pav. Europe - Classification 5th/8th place - 12:00 - Korea x Colombia
Pav. Europe - Classification 5th/8th place - 14:00 - Italy x France
Pav. Africa - Semifinal 2 - 13:00 - Czech Rep. x Chinese Taipei - Live Streaming www.worldskategames.tv
Pav. Africa - Semifinal 1 - 15:00 - USA x Namibia - Live streaming www.worldskategames.tv
World Championship Senior Women - Friday 28th October 2022
Pav. Europe - Final 9th/10th place - 8:00 - Uruguay x Brazil (1st leg 1-3)
Pav. Africa - Classification 5th/8th place SF4 - 9:00 - Canada x Mexico
Pav. Africa - Classification 5th/8th place SF3 - 11:00 - Italy x Colombia
Pav. Africa - Semifinal 2 - 17:00 - France x Argentina - Live Streaming www.worldskategames.tv
Pav. Africa - Semifinal 1 - 19:00 - USA x Spain - Live Streaming www.worldskategames.tv