Stunning victories, Shocking upsets, Striking comebacks, and Relentless marches towards gold, it’s just another amazing day at the World Championships in Argentina!
On this day of days at the Inline Championships, each side has an opportunity to set themselves up for a chance to record history. Today was no exception, and the story that has unfolded today will be remembered for a long time.
Starting in the Junior Men's competition, The development teams of Brazil and Argentina had their chance to fight for a leg up a notch of the final table, and played thier first of two to determine 7/8th position. In this case Brazil came out the better with a 4-1 result. A closer game may come tomorrow with the last opportunity for Argentina to play in their home tournament.
In the middle placings, Columbia really stepped up and produced an overwhelming result against Korea, who could only score 2 against Columbias 13. Korea will play tomorrow to determine 7/8th position v Italy, while Columbia must play France to settle 5/6. France came off a hot 4-0 victory over the Italian side, and facing a resurgent Columbia could be a very spicy affair in this mid-table clash.
Czechia had their chance to display their next level game, often reserved for the finals when needed. The only thing in their way was the utterly dominating Taipei team, who scored no less than 10 goals past the Czech keeper, a very rarely seen event. The seemingly unstoppable Taipeians will now go on to face the most unpredictable turnaround team ever seen at this level. Having three losses in this tournament already, team USA were all but written off. Yesterday's shock victory v France rejuvenated their spirits, and restored their faith. In a textbook example of why you never give up, they looked dead and buried in their semi final against Namibia. The Africans were well on their way 3-0 up in the first period. Then who knows what happened in the American dressing room, but they came out and scored 4 goals in 4 minutes, 2 from Aidan Boyle, who will surely never pay for a meal again in his hometown! Sammy Phillips scored twice himself in the second half, and the last minute consolation goal from Namibia's no 45 Keenan Simpson would not be enough to hold back this erupting comeback volcano. Now Team USA will play in the final against the real Giants. This is now an unmissable match for the Junior Men's Gold Medal, and a place in history. Italy booked their place in that game by defeating Columbia 4-1, who now face Canada in their last chance to make the best of this year in a fight for 7/8 place. Coach Pablo Navarro said: “This year's team is really young, and so played well as a new team when many regular players could not make it this year…I am happy that these players have a real future”.
In the first of the semifinal matches, Hosts Argentina had to play their very best against the current champions, France. They did an enormous amount, with 2 goals off their amazing number 51 Abril Bendinelli. But they came too late at the end of the match, when France had already done enough, with results from now familiar names in the world of Inline, Lena Rault, Gandit Camille and Pauline Bernard who scored two to start the second half, and seal the deal for their place in the Gold Medal final. But all eyes of the inline world were on the clash of the titans, the mighty Old Guard of Team USA, holding so many world championships they have lost count, and the stunning proteges in the emerging superpower of inline Espana! A dream semi-final, requiring the best of both teams, and we got it. Spain started brightly with a fast goal bang on the minute mark from number 88 Olivia Monjas. USA evened up smartly with Vanessa Ventura finding the net at 9 mins. Spain answered quickly off Anna Domenech, and then again after 12 from Vega Munoz. Then Veharanta finished the first half with a goal for the stars and stripes, lifting them into belief that the match could still be won by the second half. But their hopes were soon dashed, as Safont found the net again, followed quickly by Elena Ramos, and finally as the Americans pulled the keeper in their last hope, Monjas finished off the scoring and the game, leaving the Americans reaching for a gold they work so hard for, and know so well, but not grabbing it for the second year in succession. Spain celebrates, and will go on to battle for Gold in an all European affair tomorrow. USA will face Argentina for the bronze, which will take all their resolve to hold against the hosts, who would raise the roof if they bring home a medal in this championship. It's all to play for tomorrow and Sunday in the culmination of all their efforts. As always, tune in to Worldskate tv to see the livestream, and follow along with results, scores and standings and more on worldskate.rsportz
Photo credit: Marco Guariglia
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Words Pete Wirt