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It's the final stages of this year's spectacular Inline Hockey WorldChampionships, and teams are putting everything on the line in their make or break drive to the top of the world rankings, and a chance at promotion, and the coveted Gold medal.  With only three days of competition left, there can be nothing left in the locker rooms or on the bench, so hold on to your hats as the very best is about to roll out in the last few days of top flight competition.

In today's action for the Junior Women, Namibia beat Columbia and Brazil in yet another strong showing from this mighty African star.  Thus it cements their top position on the leaderboard, and asserts their confidence going forward to the final.  The Namibians dominate in all areas, and almost their entire squad holds the top positions in the tournament stats, led by the outstanding points and goal leader of the entire competition, Christine Rottcher.  The Namibian number 20 is ripping up the record books with 13 goals, and 21 points.  Not bad for a defender!  Watching this team develop into a senior women’s team will be a fascinating story over the next few years.

Currently only just behind are the young American women, who have so much promise to fulfil the ambitions of a USA federation with a history of winning at all levels.  They have overcome their early loss, and jumped right back into contention for a finals spot, with wins against Argentina 4-0, and a close one against Italy 3-2.  Leading the USA stats are number 4, Lily Andreassi, and 97 , Isabella Mardesich at 4 points each.  They will be hoping to equal or better their senior team into the finals and make a place for them in the future of USA Roller Hockey.  3rd place Columbia are making a strong showing, with a win v Italy following their earlier defeat against unstoppable Namibia.  They play Argentina tomorrow to seal the deal on their playoff position.  Argentina have struggled a bit more at this level, but with an early win over struggling Italy, they may yet hope for a stronger place in the finals from tomorrow's Columbia match.  Italy have struggled in this tournament compared to their expected form, having only beaten Brazil this year.  They must find something special to achieve against a superb Namibia tomorrow.  They did hold the Americans to only one goal difference, so something special just may be there.  Brazil have played with great determination, as do many teams who are early in their development at this level.  Narrow losses v Columbia and Argentina prove that in time the lessons from this level of competition will pay off, and expect them to improve.  Tomorrow they can play USA with every ounce of their resolve and belief, knowing they will all have benefited from this experience.  Best of luck to all players in your final day of opening rounds, before final placings are decided from Saturday.

Over in the Men’s competition, things have turned red hot, as the finals have begun, and teams are at the all or nothing stage.  You could not take your eyes of the first match of the day, when Germany unleashed a furious attack against Uruguay, where no less than 26 goals were sent in  meticulous fashion.  This set them up later for a placement match v Mexico, who needed overtime to take the victory there 5-4.  This leaves the Germans to face Uruguay again in the 15-17 placing.  What nerves of steel, or maybe plates of steel will the Uruguayan keeper need to stay in that game?!  Japan beat Ireland 5-0, which sets them up to face the loser of Brazil v Switzerland for their chance at the International Cup.  Ireland join Germany and Uruguay for the 15-17th placings, and must be worried at the German scoring record in this end of the table.  But every point counts, as future placement in the seedings can make or break your next international tournament.  The dramatic scenes were further enhanced when the hosts Argentina won on overtime against Switzerland 3-2.  They make it to the Quarterfinals and earn a chance to play the mighty Americans tomorrow.  The arena, and all of Buenos Aires should be crackling with electricity for that one!  Switzerland, having struggled in the top flight of this International league, will have a reprieve as they enter the quarter finals for the international cup, playing Brazil, who must see a chance to strike and go further in this competition towards a medal of their own.  Slovakia needed overtime as well to defeat Colombia by 3-2, which salvaged their chances, and set up a world hockey classic central European derby v Czechia.  These are always great matches, so one to watch in this quarterfinal!  Colombia have also struggled with their wins this tournament, but this does not tell the tale of how well they have played in their year at the top division.  Close matches reveal huge potential, which they will need to call upon when they face Canada in the International Cup Quarterfinals.  Speaking of great teams who have struggled this tournament, Team Canada found themselves facing a cyclone from the China Sea, as Taipei came up to the top division as undefeated leaders of their pool, and played a blinder against the Canadian team.  Taipei have their dream match v France in the Quarter finals, and a real chance at Gold!  What an amazing story coming out of Chinese Taipei Inline, sure to feature in more and more finals of the future.  Spain Beat Brazil 6-0, placing them in the quarters v Italy tomorrow.  Their form during this tournament should provide them with confidence to go through to a semi-final, but anything can and does happen at these championships, so you simply must catch all the action as always right here with World Skate.

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Words Pete Wirt

Photo Credit: Marco Guariglia

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November 3rd

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