It will still be the classic Iberian who will define the winner of the 55th European Championship as has already happened 8 times in the last 13 editions. In these 8 Iberian finals, Portugal won only once, back in 1998. The last Lusitanian laurel was in 2016, while Spain is looking for a consecutive hat-trick. Two very different semifinals, where Portugal once again emerged, capable of closing the semifinal already in the first half, closing it 5-2. Once again Gonçalo Alves was decisive (he is also the striker of the tournament with 8 goals), author of a twice from a direct shot, but the goals from Costa, Pinto and Souto were also important. France made a several mistakes from penalty and direct shots and only managed to score through Herman and Carlo Di Benedetto. A lot of emotions in the second semifinal, where Spain was right only on penalties by an indomitable Italy, capable of going ahead three times and then equalizing the draw in regulation time 4-4 with 45 seconds to go. Fatal for the Italians two own goals that allowed the hosts to get back into the game. On penalties, after a certain balance throughout the match, they clearly sanctioned the victory of “La Roja” with three penalties scored to zero.
A lot of balance also in the other two semifinals for the classification from 5th to 8th place. Germany was an absolute surprise, because compared to the qualifying rounds, they managed to overcome Andorra 2-0, thanks to Lucas Karschau’s brace. The defense was the extra weapon for Wahlen’s team. Switzerland also won their semifinal, gained in the first half with a 2-1 result, with goals from Kissling and Boll. England, however, put on a very solid game which only missed a draw.
Tomorrow is the last day of the European Championship, the day of the Finals. At 13:30 CEST Andorra versus England will play for the 7th/8th place final, while at 16:00 CEST the 5th/6th place final between Switzerland and Germany. At 18:30 CEST the final for the bronze between Italy and France while at 21:45 CEST, live on RTP1, Teledeporte and Esport3, the final between Spain and Portugal, which will define the European Senior Men title.
The calendar and the live results can also be consulted at http://wse.sidgad.com
All matches will be broadcast in high definition on WSETV http://europe.worldskate.tv
RTP1 will broadcast the exclusive signal for Portugal.
Teledeporte will broadcast the exclusive signal for Spain
#WSEEuro
Schedule: GROUP STAGE
1st matchday – Monday 17th July
13:30 (CEST) – Group B – Switzerland x England = 4-0
16:00 (CEST) – Group B – Andorra x Germany = 6-2
18:30 (CEST) – Group A – Portugal x Italy = 7-4
21:00 (CEST) – Group A – Spain x France = 4-4
2nd matchday – Tuesday 18th July
13:30 (CEST) – Group B – Andorra x Switzerland = 2-5
16:00 (CEST) – Group B – England x Germany = 2-8
18:30 (CEST) – Group A – Spain x Portugal = 3-3
21:00 (CEST) – Group A – Italy x France = 4-2
3rd matchday – Wednesday 19th July
13:30 (CEST) – Group B – Switzerland x Germany = 9-3
16:00 (CEST) – Group B – England x Andorra = 2-4
18:30 (CEST) – Group A – Portugal x France = 3-1
21:00 (CEST) – Group A – Italy x Spain = 4-7
Standing Group A: Portugal 7 points, Spain 5 points, Italy 3 points and France 1 point
Standing Group B: Switzerland 9 points, Andorra 6 points, Germany 3 points, England 0 points
Schedule: ELIMINATORY ROUND
Quarterfinals – Thursday 20th July
13:30 (CEST) – QF4 – France x Switzerland = 5-0
16:00 (CEST) – QF3 – Italy x Andorra = 4-1
18:30 (CEST) – QF1 – Portugal x England = 15-2
21:00 (CEST) – QF2 – Spain x Germany = 5-0
Semifinals – Friday 21st July
13:30 (CEST) – SF3 – England x Switzerland = 1-2
16:00 (CEST) – SF4 – Germany x Andorra = 2-0
18:30 (CEST) – SF2 – Portugal x France = 5-2
21:00 (CEST) – SF1 – Spain x Italy = 7-4 after penalties
Details of the matchday
ENGLAND – SWITZERLAND = 1-2 (0-2, 1-0)
England: Allander, Kay, Tucker, Taylor (C), Baker – Barnes, Kay, Griffin, Martin – Coach: Pereira
Switzerland: Oberson, Gottwald, Rettenmund, Brand, Kissling (C) – Boll, Dysli, Rui, Schober, Vizio – Coach Bataller
Scorers: 1st: 2’58” Kissling (SWI), 10’14” Boll (SWI), 24’49” Barnes (SWI)
Penalties: 1st: 14’10” Norris (2′) (ENG)
Referees: Silecchia (ITA), Mayor (SPA)
GERMANY – ANDORRA = 2-0 (1-0, 1-0)
Germany: Hilbertz F, Kohler, Strieder, Karschau (C), Borkei – Henrinchs, Rath, Haas, Hilbertz N, Geisler – Coach: Wahlen
Andorra: De Sousa, Castellvi, Picanyol, Miquel (C), Dilme – Barros, Lopez, Hernandez, Tomè, Beal – Coach: Rubio
Scorers: 1st: 7’12” Strieder (GER) – 2nd: 6’57” Karschau (GER)
Penalties: 2nd: 3’04” Borkei (2′) (GER), 6’57” Dilme (2′) (AND)
Referees: Pedro Silva (POR), Rondina (ITA)
PORTUGAL – FRANCE = 5-2 (5-2, 0-0)
Portugal: Henriques, Nunes, Pinto, Rodrigues (C), Alves – Souto, Costa, Magalhaes, Santos, Edo – Coach: Garrido
France: Chambel, Di Benedetto B, Herman, Di Benedetto R, Di Benedetto C (C) – Da Costa, Gefflot, Barengo, Savreux L, Audelin – Coach: Savreux F
Scorers: 1st: 0’29” Pinto (POR), 6’49” Herman (FRA), 16’29” Costa (POR), 17’27” Souto (POR), 17’43” Di Benedetto C (dir shot) (FRA), 18’38” Alves (dir.shot) (POR), 21’17” Alves (dir.shot) (POR)
Penalties: 1st: 17’43” Costa (2′) (POR), 18’38” Di Benedetto R (2′) (FRA), 21’17” Di Benedetto C (2′) (FRA)
Referees: Jordi Steff (SWI), Sanchez (SPA)
SPAIN – ITALY (1-2, 3-2, 0-0, 0-0, 3-0)
Spain: Grau C, Bargallo P (C), Barroso, Casas, Roca – Carballeira, Julia, Aragones, Grau M, Ballart – Coach: Cabestany
Italy: Gnata, Compagno, Gavioli, Malagoli, Cocco (C) – Cinquini, Faccin, Antonioni, Barbieri, Sgaria – Coach: Bertolucci
Scorers: 1st: 14’38” Malagoli (ITA), 14’53” Bargallo (dir.shot) (SPA), 20’10” Cocco (ITA) – 2nd: 15’03” Aragone (SPA), 19’12” Malagoli (ITA), 19’20” Bargallo (SPA), 20’48” Bargallo (SPA), 24’16” Malagoli (ITA)
Penalty shots: 3 goals for Spain, Carballeira, Aragones, Barroso – for Italy 3 no goal, Cocco, Malagoli, Gavioli
Penalties: 1st: 14’53” Faccin (2′) (ITA), 19’02” Carballeira (2′) (SPA)
Referees: Silva P (POR), Figueiredo (POR)
Finals – Saturday 22nd July
13:30 (CEST) – Final 7th-8th place – Andorra x England
16:00 (CEST) – Final 5th-6th place – Switzerland x Germany
18:30 (CEST) – Final 3rd-4th place – Italy x France
21:45 (CEST) – Final 1st-2nd place – Spain x Portugal
Helder Nunes (Portugal) and Nathan Gefflot (France) – Credit Photo World Skate Europe
Germany-Andorra – Credit Photo World Skate Europe
