Slovenians are safe, overcome Germany
The Slovenians, thanks to Matic Kralj´s hat-trick, beat Team Germany in a very tight game, 5-3, and they avoid the relegation round. The Germans will fight for survival on Saturday.
| Game no. 34 • aP5 • Fri 24/6/2011 • 14:00 • Schedule and results | ||
|---|---|---|
Slovenia |
5:3 |  Germany |
| (1:1, 1:1, 1:1, 2:0) | ||
| Kroselj (od 15. Skrabelj) - Loboda, Slivnik, Remar, Kralj - Vedlin, Erman, Zemva, Sabolic - Berlisk, Kuralt, Ograjensek | Vollmer - Duck, Menge, Greilinger, Engel - Wurm, Holscher, Blank, Aab - Wichert, Seifert, Ortolf, Rossi | |
| Goals and assists: 1. Kralj (Remar), 19. Loboda (Kralj), 27. Kralj (Loboda, Slivnik), 45. Kralj (Berlisk, Loboda), 49. Sabolic (Vendlin, Zemva) - 9. Duck (Engel, Greilinger), 13. Rossi (Ortolf), 26. Blank (Holscher) | ||
| Shots: 35:29
(5:6, 12:5, 8:10, 10:8).
Penalties: 3:3.
PP goals: 0:1.
SH goals: 0:0. Refferees: Gleisner (SWE), Würtherle (CZE). |
||
 Live coverage on onlajny.cz | ||
Game report
In a clash of two disappointed quarterfinalists, Slovenia started stronger and opened the scoring thanks to Matic Kralj’s accurate finish between the keeper’s pads. Germany equalized after 8 minutes of play when Alexander Duck converted a power-play with a shot right under a crossbar and then took the lead early in the second period after Daniel Rossi finished a quick breakaway.
Slovenia got back on level terms at 18:27 when Jan Loboda scored on a power-play, but Germans got back in the lead shortly after half time. Boris Blank finished a great combination play precisely past the goalkeeper. However, just one minute later, Kralj’s shot was deflected in via a crossbar and the game was tied again.
Matic Kralj later became the key player of the game, scoring the game winning goal at 43:45 after a spell of Slovenian pressure and completing his hat-trick. Germany attempted to pull their goalie late in the game, but Robert Sabolic put a stamp on Slovenian success with an empty net goal. Slovenia is therefore guaranteed participation in top division for a next season, while Germany will have to battle tomorrow to avoid relegation.
Author: Lukas Peroutka
Game reactions
Rok Rojsek (Team Slovenia coach):It was a very tough and nervous game, because we, in fact, had to win. We played well in defense and managed to score some goals. The tournament format is ruthless, you lose one game and lose a chance to play for medals. Unfortunately, we lost to Sweden.
Georg Holzmann (Team Germany coach):It was an even game. We could possibly win, but unfortunately it wasn`t to be.
