Great Britain starts with a decisive win over Australia
Kurt Waller was involved in five goals of his team as Great Britain got off to a great start with a thumping victory over Team Australia.
| Game no. 1 • bC1 • Sun 19/6/2011 • 13:00 • Schedule and results | ||
|---|---|---|
Australia |
1:6 |  Great Britain |
| (0:1, 0:2, 0:1, 1:2) | ||
| Muir (Robledodelabarra) - York, Fritchley, Casaceli, Gavin - Collins, Jones, Dunstan, Bourke - McDowell, Cleland, Rozdarz, Nash - O´Sullivan, Brophy | Birch (Tanner) - Clarkson D., Waller, Viney, Clarkson J. - Walsh, Finney, Dolan, Hamer - Hendy, Niamatali, Pearman, Hutchinson | |
| Goals and assists: 43. Jones (Bourke) - 4. Waller, 17. Dolan (Waller), 21. Walsh (Finney, Waller), 29. Finney (Dolan), 39. Clarkson J. (Waller, Viney), 46. Viney (Clarkson J., Waller) | ||
| Shots: 40:22
(10:1, 8:9, 15:4, 7:8).
Penalties: 1:6.
PP goals: 0:1.
SH goals: 0:1. Refferees: Wurtherle (CZE), Virta (FIN). Audience: 30. |
||
 Live coverage on onlajny.cz | ||
Game report
Team Great Britain had problems with discipline in early stages of the game and their players were sent to a penalty box three times in the opening quarter. However, Australian goalkeeper Muir was the first to concede as Kurt Waller scored a shorthanded goal right through Muir´s pads after a quick breakaway.
Despite Australia being on a power-play for long parts of the game early on, they could not find a clear opening and all their shots were saved by the excellent Birch in British goal. Once the British team was out of the penalty bench, they started to assert their authority on the rink. At 16:45, John Dolan beat Muir on his glove side and made it 2-0.
The score was swung even more in Britain´s way four minutes later thanks to Richard Walsh and with 29 minutes played, Finney made it 4-0. Australia´s task was made even more difficult early in the last quarter when Jack Clarkson scored another goal. Australia was desperately trying to get on a scoreboard and at 42:44 they finally made the breakthrough thanks to Sean Jones. “Great Britain played a great game today. They were much better in finishing off their chances,” said Jones.
It was, however, their only success as Matt Viney scored the game´s last goal and put a stamp on a strong British start to the tournament. “It was a very good start to the tournament for us,” said British forward Kurt Weller.
Author: Lukas Peroutka
Game reactions
Michael Flaherty (Team Australia coach): Great Britain´s goalkeeper had a great day. I have not seen the stats yet, but I think his save percentage will be high. I believe the loss will not have a big impact on us and we would be happy to win a medal here.
Andrew Sillitoe (Team Great Britain coach): We played a great game today. Our performance was very good and we can be very happy with our start to the tournament. However, our group is not easy and there are some strong teams still to play.
