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FRA – CZE 2:5: Czechs continue their medal run

Team Czech Republic scored three goals on a five-minute power play early in the first half to build up a decisive advantage in an emotional game against Team France and prolongs its respectable run of results which saw them win medal at every World In-Line Championship since 1998 with only one exception.

Game 8   •   p3   •   Sa 17.7.2010   •   16:10   •   Schedule and results
France	2:5	Czech Republic
(0:4, 2:1, 0:0)
Lefranc T. (16. Rebuffet) - Thomas, Ostre, Charbonneau, Gregoire, Couraud, Tijou, Ladonne J., Ladonne B., Gabillet, Lefranc J., Crignier, Jalinier, Guerin, Lapresa		Handl (Jirkuv) - Rachunek, Toman, Strycek, Zacha, Tvrznik, Snopek, Kames, Vozdecky, Besser, Balazs, Rudovsky, Sebek, Loskot, Sinagl
Goals and assists: 34. Ladonne J., 35. Lefranc - 7. Rachunek (Balazs), 8. Sebek (Toman), 9. Rachunek (Balazs), 16. Toman (Sebek), 30. Toman (Besser).
Shots: 31:17 (6:10, 25:7, 0:0). Penalties: 2:2. PP goals: 2:3. SH goals: 0:0. Referees: Mackinnon, Grandini . Audience: 1050.
Official game sheet (PDF)     video

Report

Just a little more than 24 hours ago, before this year´s semifinal games, many people saw these two teams as favorites for a final participation. However, the actual results turned these expectations upside down and instead of a gold medal match, France and Czech Republic had to settle for a bronze game.

First minutes of the game brought chances at both ends, with Charbonneau and Besser missing good opportunities to take the lead. In 6th minute came one of the key moments when Tijou´s stick hit opponent in the face and because of blood in Czech player´s face, French captain received a match penalty resulting in a five minute power play for home team. Rachunek´s double and Sebek´s shot during the following three minutes shocked Team France and put Czechs in a 3-0 lead.

To complete a miserable first half for the French side, Toman´s easy shot from the right wing ended surprisingly behind Lefranc and ended his stay in French goal. His replacement, Hugo Rebuffet, sparked a small revival of Team France, but they still could not find their first goal. After 30 minutes of play, Toman scored his second goal of the game after a nice combination to earn Czechs a 5-0 lead and further diminish French medal hopes. The game still was not over, though.

In 34th minute, Ladonne scored French´s first goal on a power play with Toman sitting in a penalty box. The number advantage for Team France continued even further, because Snopek was penalized for a foul just after this goal and later, Vozdecky received a match penalty for boarding to give French team a long 4 on 2 power play opportunity.

However, most of French shots ended over or wide of Czech goal and their lone success came in 35th minute when Gabillet´s one timer beat stretching keeper Handl. Team France tried to pull their goalie in final minutes, but it was too late and there was no coming back into this match for them. Team Czech Republic could celebrate in front of their home fans and later in the evening collect bronze medals for their performance at this year´s World Championships.

Author: Lukas Peroutka

Comments

Bernard Seguy (Team France coach): I think the Czech team played really well. Both teams had chances early in the game, but then referee decided that French will not have chances anymore. We got a five minute penalty, conceded three goals and it killed us. Referees were not so bad during the tournament, but today they changed the game.