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The Czechs got off to a flying start in their first game, out-shooting Switzerland 43-6 and winning 5-0, with Petr Šulan posting the relatively easy shutout. The second game against India was a much stiffer test, however. The Czechs led 2-0 after two periods, but the Indians didn´t give up and scored twice in the final period to tie it. Eventually, though, the Czechs won, thanks to a goal by Jan Pospíšil with just 15 seconds to play. As it turned out, this dramatic finish was far from the last for the Czech team in this tournament
In the final game of Group A the Czechs faced the powerful Slovakian team, which had surprisingly lost to India in its first game. Before nearly 5,000 spectators the teams played an even game which was finally decided in the third period when tournament MVP and Czech captain Petr Novák scored, followed by Jan Bacovský.
After two close games, the quarter-finals were a breeze for the Czechs, who easily handled Bermuda 11-0, with Filip Šindelář only needing to make two saves. In another quarter-final, four-time defending champion Canada was eliminated by the USA, meaning the tournament would have a new champion. Joining the Czechs and Americans in the final four were the Slovaks and Indians.
In the semi-finals, the Czech team once again faced Slovakia, in a game that was quite similar to their group-stage meeting. The Slovaks led 3-2 after two periods, but Bacovský scored another timely goal with five minutes to play to send the game to overtime. In the extra period the Slovaks didn´t even manage a shot on goal, and after eight minutes Tomáš Rejthar fired a shot from the blue line that found the back of the net to send the Czechs into the final.
In the final, the Czechs faced the surprising Indians, who had been impressive all tournament and beaten the USA 5-4. The score was 1-1 after one period and the Czechs led 3-2 after two, but India scored with just three minutes to play to send yet another game to overtime. The 6544 in attendance oohed and aahed with every shot, but it was the captain Novák who provided the heroics in the 48th minute, sending the home fans into ecstacy. For the second time, the Czechs had won the gold medal on their home floor.
The tournament in Plzeň was assessed positively in every category. The teams praised the excellent organization and also the great atmosphere provided by the local fans particularly in games involving the Czechs. In total, over 20,000 fans came out to watch the host team´s six games.
Final standings
1. Czech Republic
2. India
3. Slovakia
4. USA
5. Canada
6. Portugal
7. Italy
8. Bermuda
9. Greece
10. Austria
11. Switzerland
12. Hong Kong
13. Finland
14. Pakistan
15. Great Britain
16. Cayman Islands
Český tým na mistrovství
Goaltenders: Donauschatl, Šindelář, Šulan
Defencemen: Dědič, Hodovník, Kadaně, Pospíšil, Příhoda, Rejthar, Růžička, Střeska, Výborný.
Forwards: Bacovský, Kejř, Kubeš, Kypet, Lendl, Novák, Oliverius, Roušal, Sýkora, Švancar, Topolánek, Trčka, Tyburec.
Coach: L. Rak.
FOTO:Zdeněk Vaiz - ww.fotovaiz.com