Italy 8, Czech Republic 0 (halftime 3-0)

Italy did what it had to do to stay in the hunt for a Hockey World League Semi-Final spot after earning an 8-0 win against the Czech Republic. The win gives the Italians six points in three games, enough to keep their hopes alive in the wacky round robin standings in Valencia.

It was clear from the first whistle that the Italians were the better team. They scored a penalty corner in just the third minute of action and never looked back from there. Most of the game was played in front of the Czech net and the fatigued Czech team, playing their fourth straight game, gave up at least a dozen penalty corner chances, which the Italians took full advantage of, netting six of their eight goals on short corners.

The bright spot of the half came when Czech goalie Stepanka Smidova made a save on a penalty stroke chance. But there was little she could do to stop the 2-0 goal, which Alissia Padalino fired in mid-half. Dallia Mireabella closed the half with a streaking goal from the field in the last minute to give the Italians a comfortable lead at the break.

Agata Wybieralska got things rolling in the second half for Italy, scoring her second penalty corner goal of the day. With a 4-0 lead and the three points well in hand, Italy continued to cruise, putting in another four goals and getting two additional players on the scoresheet.

Italy now has a win, a shootout win and a shootout loss in their first three outings and have one game remaining against top-seeded Ireland. The Czechs go home from Valencia without a win in their four-game World League Round 2 experience.

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