Article and images from Hockey Italia 21

In the first match of the second phase of the Masters tournament, Italy beat Brazil 5-1 at the Brunico Masters, scheduled at the Intercable Arena until 3 June. The Azzurri find the winning draw in the second half, after closing the first fraction on 2 – 0. At 20 the Azzurri will take the field again, against the USA.

After a very intense start by both teams, the Azzurri moved forward with Max Oberrauch. However, Brazil tries to respond immediately but the blue goalie saves. Italy comes forward but Brazil’s defense concedes little. In the sixth Fabio Rigoni tries but the shot is rejected and on the restart Brazil misses the winning tap. It wasn’t long before Luca Rigoni’s shot was rejected by the Brazilian goalie’s helmet. In the 12th nice personal action by Wantanabe but Gianluca Stella doesn’t let himself be surprised and on the restart Luca Rigoni almost doubles. The Azzurri continue to attack and go close to the net on several occasions, but they only find it in the last three minutes with Luca Rigoni signing the blue double. Italy remained in control of the match and the first half ended 2-0.

In the second half, Italy hit the post with Egger, just two minutes after. Brazil stepped forward and summoned Stella who saved her team by blocking a close shot from Guilardi. On the restart it is the Brazilian goalie who prevents Italy from scoring the third goal. At 5:16 Luca Rigoni scores the 3 – 0, finding the winning tap on an assist from Sticker, who had previously dribbled past the goalkeeper without being able to finish on goal. Brazil tries to react with Guilardi but Stella is not surprised. In the seventh Alexander Egger tries personal action but is stopped by the Brazilian goalie. At 8:25 David Stricker starts from his own half, hits the crossbar first and then with a volley on a rebound he scores the 4 – 0: what a goal! At the tenth Wantanabe tries to reopen the match but Stella still doesn’t let herself be surprised. At 12:52 Italy finds the 5 to 0 with Fabio Rigoni. Just over six minutes from the end Wantanabe still calls Stella into question, but the blue goalie saves with the bootleg. The Azzurri control the result and come close to scoring the sixth goal at 1:25 with Montanari. In the last 48 seconds Brazil finds the net with Erik Barreto, for the final 5 to 1. 20 seconds from the end Barreto hits the post again. It is the last gasp of an intense match. It ends 5 to 1 for Italy.