An incredible end to the game saw Spain turn the situation around in Group B and qualify for the semi-finals. It finished 5-6 for the side coached by Alonso. The result eliminated the Azzurri who have a further fixture but are only left playing to finish as high as possible at the European Games in Minsk.

Italy played well but were punished at the end by two Antonio goals as he claimed his hat-trick. “My congratulations to Spain,” said the Italy Coach Emiliano Del Duca. “For us, we’ll leave with the knowledge that we can play against anyone. Italy are one of the five sides in the world that can win or lose all of their games. There are things to look at again and I’ll analyse it immediately with my players.”

“There’s a lot of disappointment, a minute from the end we were in the semi-final,” said the Catania defender Francesco Corosiniti. “We were in a group of death and we knew it. We needed a bit more luck seeing as this sport is made up of individual episodes. Today, we faced what is probably the strongest side in Europe. It’s a shame, the road would have been easier after this game. We’re disappointed but now we have to pick ourselves up and focus on the next event.”

THE MATCH - In the first half, Spain created the majority of chances but the Azzurri took the lead through Frainetti who pounced on a loose ball. Joaquín Alonso’s side kept pressing but they were unable to break down the Italian defence and the Azzurri added a second at the start of the second period through Marinai. Eight minutes in, Antonio halved the deficit before Adri Frutos equalised before the break. Spain didn’t have time to celebrate as Zurlo fired Italbeach ahead with an incredible shot that left Dona with no chance.

In the third and final period, Llorenç restored parity before Palazzolo made it 4-3. Spain kept going with Eduard equalising ten minutes in before Gori netted from the spot. It seemed over but Spain then struck with the double salvo that proved fatal with two goals in just over a minute. The two goals put Spain ahead for the first time in the match and meant the Azzurri’s dream of making the semi-finals couldn’t come true.

Tomorrow at 14:00 local time, the Azzurri will face Romania who have zero points in the match for fifth place.

ITALY 5-6 SPAIN (2-0; 3-2; 2-2)
Goals: 9’ first period Frainetti (I), 8’ first period Marinai (I), 8’ second period Antonio (S), 12’ second period Adri Frutos (S), 12’ second period Zurlo (I), 1’ third period Llorenç (S), 4’ third period Palazzolo (I), 10’ third period Eduard (S), 11 third period Gori (I), 12' third period Antonio (S), 12’ third period Antonio (S)

EUROPEAN GAMES MINSK 2019

Tuesday 25 June
14:00 - Portugal 1-3 Switzerland AET (Group A) 
15:30 - Spain 5-4 Russia AET (Group B) 
18:00 - Ukraine 8-7 Italy (Group B) 
19:30 - Romania 1-6 Belarus (Group A)

Wednesday 26 June
14:00 - Portugal 8-2 Romania  (Group A)
15:30 - Italy 4-2 Russia (Group B)
18:00 - Spain 4-6 Ukraine (Group B) 
19:30  Belarus 8-7 Switzerland (Group A)

Thursday 27 June
14:00 - Switzerland 10-0 Romania  (Group A)
15:30 - Russia 5-1 Ukraine  (Group B)
18:00 - Italy 5-6 Spain (Group B) 
19:30 - Belarus 3-7 Portugal (Group A)

5th Place play-off
14:00 - Italy - Romania
15:30 - Belarus-Russia

Semi-finals
18:00 - Spain-Switzerland
19:30 -Portugal - Ukraine

Tables
Group A: Portugal 6, Switzerland 5, Belarus 4, Romania 0
Group B: Spain 5, Ukraine 4, Italy 3, Russia 3