Italy, still with a chance to qualify for the Final of the Hero FIH Road to London tournament, staked their claim early in the match when tournament top-scorer Alessia PADALINO drilled home a penalty-corner five minutes into the game.

This early morning match was not played with much pace on either side, with players possibly starting to feel the strain of playing their fourth game in five days. Ukraine had a timid attempt on a penalty-corner, easily handled by Roberta LILLIU in the Italian goal, but there was no additional scoreboard activity in the period and Italy went into the half-time break with a narrow one-goal lead.

Ukraine came back in the match early in second period by Bohdana SADOVA, jumping on a loose ball in front of the Italian keeper before smashing it into the goal from close range. The match became more animated, both teams trying to force the decision, but too often rushing the last pass or last shot to seriously threaten the goal-keepers.

Tempers flared up in the tense end of match. PADALINO, the final recipient of most Italian attacks, was under close scrutiny from the Ukrainian defense, and it is finally Giuliana RUGGERI, left alone in the circle,who scored a dramatic winning goal in the 69th minute.

Player of the Match was Alvina BUDONNA, the Ukrainian goal-keeper.