Two-time champion Spain beat Italy on penalties this Friday (3-0, after a 4-4 draw) and will face Portugal in the final of the European Rink Hockey Championship, which will be held in Sant Sadurni d’Anoia, in Barcelona.
In the most intense match of the Eurocup, with constant emotion and uncertainty on the scoreboard, Italy was the first to score, through Andrea Malagoli (1-0), in the 15th minute, seconds after Pau Bargalló tied (1-1), converting a direct free kick.
Playing in ‘power play’ (with one more player on court), after César Carballeira was shown a blue card, Italy returned to the lead, through Giulio Cocco (2-1), in the 21st minute, redeeming the wasted free kick.
At the start of the second half, the teams had chances to score, through Checco Compagno, at minute 33, Xavi Barroso, at minute 34, and César Carballeira, at minute 39, and Spain even drew 2-2, through Sergi Aragonês, at minute 41.
In a quick transition, Italy once again took the lead, through Andrea Malagoli (3-2), in the 45th minute, so that Spain tied again, through Marc Grau (3-3), and in the following minute took the lead for the first time in the match, through Nil Roca (4-3).
In the 47th minute, goalkeeper Carles Grau denied Italy the goal, saving the rebound from a direct free kick, but with 46 seconds remaining in regulation time, the transalpine team tied 4-4, through Andrea Malagoli, forcing extra time.
The additional 10 minutes did not bring anything new and in the penalty shootout the effectiveness of the Spanish team prevailed, which converted three, by César Carballeira, Sergi Aragonês and Xavi Barroso, against none of Italy (Giulio Cocco, Andrea Malagoli and Davide Gavioli missed the respective shots).
Source: TSF
