Croatia a Step to Gold

Croatian Hockey Players chalked their third victory at the World Championship Division II in Zagreb’s Dom Sportova.

In their third game at the World Championship division II, Croatia beat Spain 8-2 and affirmed the leading position in the A group. From the very beginning of the match the difference in quality was evident: the Spaniards were forced to their third and in the sixth minute the Croatians use their extra player to take the lead by way of Lovrencic. There were many opportunities in front of the Russian goal, the Croatians could have augmented their lead, which they did only in the 17^th minute when Plahutar scored for 2-0, which was the final result of the first third. Spanish hockey players created no serious opportunity and their goalkeeper Alonso was the most active player in their team. 

In the second third the situation did not change much. Croatia constantly attacked and the Spaniards defended themselves which resulted in many send offs. In the 26^th minute Aitor Armino knocks down Ciganovic for which he received a penalty which Marko Lovrencic realised successfully. After the third goal the Croatians lost their momentum and the Spaniards attack the Croatian goal. Their efforts paid in the 33^rd minute when Bernet scored. But, Croatians’ response ensued in the next minute when Ciganovic and Lovrencic strike, resolving the issue of the victor.

In the last part of the game the Croatians dominated and some 1,000 spectators could watch several nice moves by Ciganovic, Svigir and company. In the 45^th minute Barnola again scores for Spain and three minutes later Svigir raises the difference to 6-2. Ciganovic and Svigir again score, setting the final 8-2. With this victory Croatia only confirmed that it is the best team in the group. It is difficult to believe that they could bungle it in the last two games against Turkey and Bulgaria which will fight to remain in the second world division.

The weak Bulgaria won over the even weaker Turkey 7-5, while Belgium had a difficult time winning over Serbia 2-1.

Croatia - Spain 8:2 (2-0, 3-1, 3-1)

05:56 1-0 Lovrencic (Brumercik, Ciganovic)

16:50 2-0 Plahutar (Švigir, Tadic)

25:45 3-0 Lovrencic (penalty)

32:16 3-1 Bernet (Pedraz, Codina)

33:17 4-1 Ciganovic (Gojanovic)

33:32 5-1 Lovrencic (Gojanovic, Ciganovic)

44:53 5-2 Barnola (Salegui)

47:18 6-2 Švigir (Gojanovic, Brumercik)

55:29 7-2 Ciganovic (Lovrencic, Ljubic)

56:49 8-2 Švigir (Mladjenovic)

World championship, division II, group A, round 3: Bulgaria - Turkey 7:5 (3-3, 2-2, 2-0), Belgium - Serbia 2:1 (0-1, 1-0, 1-0), Croatia - Spain 8:2 (2-0, 3-1, 3-1)

1. Croatia 9

2. Spain 6

3. Belgium 6

4. Serbia 3

5. Bulgaria 3

6. Turkey 0