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bronze medal game

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Slovakia – USA 4 - 3 a.s. (2-0,0-2,1-1,0-0,1-0)

Several questions rose before this game. Would Slovakia be able to concentrate on the bronze medal game after yesterday's shootout? And would the Nord Americans be able to boost their performance compared with their round robin game against the Europeans?

Slovakia plaid very concentrated right from the beginning. USA as Germany in the game before acted out from a well positioned defence. In the seventh minute Marek Polerecky could break through the US-wall and gave his colors a 1 to 0 lead assisted by Martin Kollar and Martin Obuch. Only 52 seconds later – while a delayed penalty signed against USA – Martin Kovac provided another goal for Slovakia with Rober Maier giving the assist. With Slovakia in control of the game, it was questionable, if the USA would be able to come back into the game.

They were able! Early in the second period Josh Merchant brought the USA back into reach assisted by Rob Roth. It came even better for the Americans. Midway down the period, Eric Zimmermann equalized for the USA on a pass from Merchant. The game was now pretty even. Both teams had chances to take the lead, but no further scoring occurred in this period.

This changed in the beginning of the third period. No it was team USA that moved the game into the Slovak zone. And after 74 seconds Roth gave his colors the first lead in this game assisted by Zubik and Crossey. Now it was the Slovaks turn to come back into the game. The good positioning and the clever play of team USA gave them some troubles. But with 3:11 left on the clock, Matus Palcko tied the game with Obuch and Kollar providing the passes. Now there was just Slovakia playing, pressing for the decisive goal. With 33 seconds left on the clock, Slovakia got penalised, but no scoring, so the game had to be decided in overtime.

In overtime both teams created several big goal chances, but no scoring took place, so a shoot out had to decide over bronze. For Slovakia this was the second shoot out within 16 hours. This time Slovakia had the better end, and won the shoot out and the bronze.

President's note

George Gortsos
ISBHF president

This past weekend I had the honour of becoming the third President of the ISBHF. I believe that as a player and coach I have always strived to play ball hockey in a skilled and team way. Now I have a chance to work with all the great leaders of our sport throughout the World who love the game like we all do. I met some great people in Paris. And I would like to thank the representatives of all our member nations who voted me in on behalf of ball hockey players around the World. This is an honour I will handle with the honesty and hard work that made me a successful player and coach. I want to share the main keys that I will strive to work with my fellow board members to make this game better around the World.
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