2015 Worlds of Roller Hockey: Back on the Quarter Finals

The 2015 World Championships of Roller Hockey enter the knock-out phases. The quarter finals started yesterday in Rosario. The USA stood out, both in the junior men's and senior women's categories, while France confirmed their rank in the junior men's...

Par alfathor
Publié le 13 June 2015 - Mis à jour le 11 May 2025 - 3556 Lectures - 0 commentaire(s)

Back on Thursday, June 11th, 2015

The quarter finals day of the worlds of roller hockey was full of surprises in the Salvador Bonilla stadium. The American Juniors, transparent so far, knocked out Spain after 17 penalty shootouts. The American Women got a little fright against Colombia, and finally found a solution only at the end of the game. As for France, they become stronger and stronger and will have to make a perfect performance against Italy to take part in their second final in a row.

Senior Women’s: No surprises

India brought their share of suspense early in the morning. In their 1/8th final game against Colombia, the Indian Women scored their first goal of the event and even led 2-0, forcing the Colombian coach to change goalies and shake up his troops. Even if the game ended with a score of 7-2 in favor of Colombia, India set the volunteers and the spectators on fire.

The rest of the day unfolded in a calmer atmosphere: Finland, Spain and the Czech Republic qualified without efforts. Only the USA players were put in danger by a transformed Colombian team, compared to their morning game. The gap of the 5-1 victory, widened at the end of the game, doesn’t reflect the tightness of the game.

On the other hand, bets are open for the semi finals. It’s going to be a tough game between the athletic Czechs and the Finnish strike force. The style of the game will be very different between Spain and the USA. The Spanish speed should foil the American goalie, who is probably one of the best of the edition.

Junior Men: The victorious comeback of the USA

In the Junior Men’s category, games were tighter. The Czech Republic imposed a 6-0 defeat to Mexico, and yet with the minimum effort.

Italy did no favor to Colombia with a stinging score of 8 to 0. This team is getting stronger and stronger with offensive players of great quality.

France, after letting Switzerland wash over them, finally imposed themselves 4-2 without great surprise.

The most awaited game of the day opposed Spain to the USA. Despite their better teamwork, Spain couldn’t get round the opposing wall, which yet took over 50 shots. With a goal at the very end of the game, the USA pushed their opponents to extra time then to shootout penalties. Only the 17th penalty shot by Zachary Claunch delivered the team and propelled them to the semi finals against the Czech Republic.

In the other semi-final game, France remains the only team to have won all their games since the beginning of the worlds. But Italy, who remains unbeaten, rides a dynamic wave. Before those game, will take place the classification games for the 5th to the 8th place with Mexico-Spain and Switzerland-Colombia.