Italy or Montenegro will win the trophy at the Sardinia Cup in Cagliari.
Each team has 6 points after two rounds of the four-nation tournament. The Montenegrings and the Italians recorded convincing wins today and will meet tomorrow in the match that will decide 1st place.
Montenegro beat France 17:11, while Italy defeated Australia by eight goals (15:7) this evening
2023 Sardinia Cup, Cagliari, Day 2
Montenegro dominated the game with France right from the start and had a comfortable lead of 5:1 after the first quarter. The Montenegrins continued in the same rhythm in the second period. They extended their advantage to 9:3. The Balkan powerhouse opened the third quarter with two power-play goals to go to 11:3. The French responded with four straight goals and halved the gap (7:11). However, Montenegro’s victory was never in doubt.
Montenegro’s main strength was a man-up conversion – 10/13. The French scored six goals from their 11 shots with an extra player.
Montenegro and France will meet again in two weeks -on January 4 in the first round of the European Championships in Dubrovnik.
Italy started strongly in the match against Australia, taking a 3:0 lead in the first five minutes. Australia came back into the game. The „Sharks“, who had a very good man-up conversion in the first half, caught up with the hosts. Blake Edwards scored from a 6 on 5 in the 12th minute and leveled at 4:4. However, Italy retook control at the finish of the second period. Andrea Fondelli found the net twice in the last 41 seconds of the first half for 6:4. The Italians prolonged their series with five consecutive goals in the third period. The “Settebello” jumped to 11:4 (the 22nd minute) and there was no way back for Australia.
Francesco Di Fulvio wasn’t on Italy’s roster today. Marco Del Lungo, who missed yesterday’s match against France, was in front of the hosts’ goal in the second half. At the middle break, he replaced De Michelis.
Day 2
Montenegro – France 17:11 (5:1, 4:2, 3:5, 5:3)
Montenegro: Mrsic 5, Djurdjic 3, Averka 3, Vidovic 2, Perkovic 1, Macic 1, Radovic 1.
France: Bodegas 3, Bouet 2, Nardon 2 Saudider 1, Marion Vernoux 1, Zivkovic 1, De Nardi 1.
Italy – Australia 15:7 (3:2, 3:2, 5:2, 4:1)
Italy: Condemi 3,Echenique 3, Fondelli 2, Cannella 2, Renzuzo 2, Di Somma 2, Alesiani 1.
Australia: Edwards 2, Power 2, Mercep 2, Maksimovic 1.
Standings: 1. Italy 6, 2. Montenegro 6, 3. Australia 0, 4. France 0.
