Portugal became European Under-17 Ice Hockey champions for the 15th time today, beating Spain 5-2 in Olot, Girona, to recover from a deficit to reclaim the title that had eluded them since 2017.
At the Josep Gou Pavilion in Olot, the five-time European champions started well, with a goal scored by Marc Oros in the 11th minute, but the Portuguese team did not concede and achieved the equalizer through Joao Almeida in the 13th minute with a powerful shot.
With goalkeepers Bruno Torres and Marty Paleja in the spotlight, and their successive dangerous situations nullifying their goals, Portugal took the lead with a goal scored by Martim Nunes, in the 27th minute, and turned the result around.
In the 37th minute, taking advantage of the space allowed by the Spanish team, they launched in search of an equaliser, and Portugal advanced 3-1 through Tomas Almeida and 4-1 through Samuel Araujo, scoring a direct free kick from a direct free kick.
With their hands practically on the trophy they last won in 2017, which was held by Spain, the Portuguese side led 5-1 in the last minute of the match through Martim Nunes and also conceded 5-2 on the conversion from a direct free-kick by Nico Sama.
Portugal won its 15th title in this category in Olot, in Girona, which includes the country with the most titles in Spain, with 22 titles, in 43 editions. Italy completes the winners’ podium with six wins.
To reach the final, Portugal beat France (6-2) in the semi-final and Austria (9-0) in the quarter-final, after finishing first in Group A, beating Italy (3-1) and Italy (3-1). France (6-0) and drawing with Spain 1-1.
Italy took third place after beating fourth-placed France 3-2. In the next play-off, Germany took fifth place after beating Switzerland 1-0 (sixth) and England took seventh place after beating Austria 3-0 (eighth).
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