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Final B-Division Italy - Estonia Italy is B-Division’s World Champion and goes up to A-DivisionThe starting position was evident: The B-Division’s best two teams competed in the final in front of 800 spectators. Italy will compete against Sweden, Finland or Switzerland at the next WFC due to their victory. The game started with both teams playing carefully and respectfully. Many mistakes on both sides prevented a fast game and it took 15 minutes to the first exciting scene. A covered shot by defenseman Sivakov found its way into the net; the Italian goaltender coulnd’t stand a chance. In the first period, Italy had as good as no chances to score, especially in the slot they frequently lost. In the second period, Estonia scored after two minutes. Rein Kivi, the man between genius and lunacy, tricked up Italy’s keeper Villa on the goal line. Only two minutes later, Fabio Mutti made it a 1-2 game, and this also seemed to get the Azzuris going, since Estonia had to retreat into their own half and Italy played quicker and more cleverly. In this aggressive manner, Fantuz caught a pass by Pondaco and tied the score in the 15th minute. At this moment, the tie was well-deserved. Before the end of the second period, outstanding Rein Kivi gave his team the lead again. What a period the last was! Italy kicked off focusing on their offensive activity. They wanted to go up so badly, so they did everything to fulfil their dream of playing in the A-Division. Pondaco missed his target twice in promising opportunities. It was Kivi again who took advantage of Italy’s inefficiency by scoring his third goal in the 50th minute. By return, Mutti notched a goal and the Southerners could hope again. They got a penalty shot and Rino Bartolo tied the game to 4-4. But this wasn’t enough. With three minutes left in the last period, Kivi shot an amazing goal. Several questionable decisions made by the referees mixed the game up a little bit. Shortly before the end of regular time, Italy could play on a double power play. After goaltender Villa left the field, it was six Italians against three Estonians for the last seconds. With only one single second left, top scorer Terlizzi tied the score. Then, Rein Kivi got a match penalty and Italy played on power play in over time. It was Terlizzi who scored the final goal, and thereby his team made it to the A-Division. Congrats, boys!
Short interview with Fabio Terlizzi (Captain Team Italy)Fabio, to shoot the deciding goal twice, one shortly after the other, how do you feel, honestly? Terlizzi: Honestly? It’s incredible! I feel extremely happy. With the tying goal one second before finish, I had to look twice, if the ball truly was a score and with the second goal all I knew: Now we did it! An amazing feeling! A word about the game? Terlizzi: The Estonians were very strong and we sufferd a lot. In the end it was a bit of luck, but also deserved. We played the whole tournament with three lines, exept for the last period against Estonia. They only played with two lines. We also stayed calm during the sudden-death and knew, now we will win! After a disappointed season, you played very well in this tournament! Terlizzi: Ja das stimmt. Es ging ja nicht nur mir so, verschiedene Spieler bei uns waren nicht Stammspieler und blühten hier in der Squadra Azzura richtiggehend auf. Für uns war dies ein schöner Abschluss der Saison, hier in der Schweiz vor so vielen bekannten Gesichtern den Aufstieg zu feiern. Terlizzi: Yes, that’s true. But it wasn’t only me, several players weren’t core players and here they really thrived in the "squadra azzura". For us it was a great ending of the season, to celebrate the promotion in Switzerland with so many people we know very well. Said it and was pulled towards the dressing room by his teammates…
Interview with Jari-Petri Anttila (coach for team Estonia)Jari-Petri, the decisive game was decided one second before the end of the game. What were this hectic minutes like for you? Our team showed a lot of effort during the whole game and were just too tired in the end phase. I was only able to use ten players in the end. Then the silly penalties started. The last second was an Italian one, that was decisive. The Italians played very well. After the game you shook hands with your players. What did you tell them? I told them that we will be promoted in two years. It wasn't our time yet, it didn't happen yet. We had two good periods and we can be proud of that. All in all I am content with my team. How does the team feel after this defeat in the last second? The players are disappointed. They were so close and it would have been a great success. But later on they will realize that they gave all they had and played very well in all the games. What are your own emotions? It's only a game. I was very composed after the decisive shot by the Italians. Life goes on and I strongly believe that our time will come. What is your view of team Estonia for this WFC? During the tournament we made a lot of improvements. Step by step we advanced. It was good for the Estonian floorball, that this took place on international ground. For the players this is very important as well. In Estonia there is no floorball culture yet. We must try to get more players into the Finnish league. Players like Rein Kivi are very important for us. He played an excellent tournament. We must have more players like that. 5th B-WFC Final Schluefweg, Kloten Scores: 16. Sivakov (Kivi) 0:1. 23. Kivi (Raudsepp) 0:2. 25. Mutti (Valt) 1:2. 35. Fantuz (Pondaco) 2:2. 35. Kivi 2:3. 50. Kivi (Karis) 2:4. 51. Mutti (Bartolo) 3:4. 53. Bartolo 4:4. 57. Kivi (Sõber) 4:5. 20. Terlizzi (Bartolo) 5:5. 62. Terlizzi (Bartolo) 6:5 Penalties: |
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