Palacio de los Deportes de Riazor – A Coruña | July 16th, 2018
The third day of the Men’s European Championship of Roller Hockey meant France’s debut in the competition, as they had not played any match yet. But before that, the day began with group B game Belgium-Germany, in which the Belgians received yet another pounding, losing 0-15. Next France, the last one to step in from group A, beat an earnest Andorra that, despite everything, yielded 6-0.
After what happened on Saturday against Spain, it seemed like England would be an easy rival for Italy, but the transalpine team had trouble getting their heads in the game, which concluded with a final score of 9-4, with two almost consecutive goals for the Englishmen in the last few minutes.
By the end of the day only Spain and Portugal’s respective matches had not taken place yet. Regarding Alejandro Dominguez’s men, it was an easy victory against Netherland with an offensive display similar to the one against England on the first day, and having the goal guarded by Xavi Malián this time, an impassable bastion only broken twice during the last few minutes of the game, which by that time had already been locked up and finished with a comfortable 2-14 favorable to the Spaniards.
On the other hand, Portugal discretely dominated the game’s first half which ended with 2-1. However, in the beginning of the second half Portugal tipped the scales to their favor with four almost consecutive goals in just 10 minutes, and thus the match concluded with a comfortable 7-1.
After this third day, group A is led by Portugal, which remains unbeaten along France and Switzerland, although these two have played one game less, whereas Italy dominates group B due to a better goal average than Spain and Germany, as all three teams have won both two games played until date. England, The Netherlands and Belgium have not scored any points yet.
The schedule and matches for the fourth day of competition, tomorrow Tuesday, are the following:
10:00 a. m. | England – Belgium
12:30 p. m. | Austria – France
5:30 p. m. | Switzerland – Andorra
8:00 p. m. | Spain – Germany
10:00 p. m. | Netherland – Italy