The Spanish men’s XV team has fallen in the semifinals due to novena position of U-20 World Championship against Italy 28-15. The Lions, who played 20 minutes with a player any less for yellow, they fought until the end against an Italian team that made an effort to monopolize the ball in the last stretch of the game and punish every Spanish mistake.
Despite the result, Spain has shown its better version so far in the championship although it has not been enough to certify in this meeting his permanence in the maximum World Cup category. To do this they will have to win on July 19 at Fijiwho lost to Georgia 40-36.
The first 20 minutes were an Italian monologue, highlighting Manex’s defensive performances AricetaValentino Rizzo and Diego González. In attack, Javi Lopez de Haro He gave oxygen to Spain thanks to his play on the foot, but push Italian constantly returned the game to the Spanish field.
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As Ricardo warned Martin’s, the first scrums in their own half would end up providing clear chances for Italy. In the 3rd minute Giacomo Milano It would culminate a very hard-fought forward play, which would also result in Jokin getting a yellow card. Zolezzi.
The defending Spanish, during the first half, would manage to avoid up to 5 obvious try chances and the confidence of the National Team would increase until in the 31st minute Alberto Carmona would rehearse after a great play by Los Leones’ three quarters. Despite the good feelings after the Spanish brand, Marco Scalabrin The transalpine advantage would once again increase to reach 12-5 at halftime.
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With the resumption Italy would add again thanks to their scrum, getting a penalty try and a yellow for Aniol French which would leave, once again, Spain with one less man. Despite the inferiority, from minute 47, Los Leones would play their best minutes and achieve cut the score from 19-5 to 19-15, thanks to a try by Hugo Gonzálezwho would break two tackles to achieve it, and a penalty hit from Gonzalo Otamendi.
But Italy would take its job to reimpose its rhythm and to hide the ball to amass long plays with his forward. In this way the transalpine opening, Francesco Imbertiwould translate into points the penalty blows of the Spanish defense in the 65th, 73rd and 78th minutes to certify the Italian victory with the final 28-15.
Despite the defeat, the feelings that Spain leaves after the game are very positive and proves to be level of the World Rugby U20 Championship.
ITALY – SPAIN. Danie Craven Stadium, Stellenbosch, South Africa, Referee: Nehuen Jauri Rivero
Italia: 1. Valerio SICILIANO, 2. Davide ASCARI, 3. Samuele MIRENZI, 4. Piero GRITTI, 5. Giacomo MILANO, 6. Nelson CASARTELLI, 7. Giacopo BOTTURI (c), 8. Lorenzo CASILIO, 9. Simone BRISIGHELLA, 10 . Francesco IMBERTI, 11. Nicola BOZZO, 12. Federico ZANANDREA, 13. Marco SCALABRIN, 14. Mirko BELLONI, 15. Vittorio PADOAN. They also played: 16. Francesco GENTILE, 17. Federico PISANI, 18. Nicola BOLOGNINI, 19. Mattia MIDENA, 20. Cesare ZUCCONI, 21. Mattia JIMENEZ, 22. Martino PUCCIARIELLO, 23. Patrick DE VILLIERS.
Spain: 1. Hugo GONZÁLEZ, 2. Diego GONZÁLEZ, 3. Aniol FRANCH, 4. Pablo GUIRAO, 5. Manex ARICETA (c), 6. Nicolás MOLETI, 7. Jokin ZOLEZZI, 8. Valentino RIZZO, 9. Javier LÓPEZ DE HARO , 10. Gonzalo OTAMENDI, 11. Hugo PICHARDIE, 12. Yago FERNÁNDEZ, 13. Alberto CARMONA, 14. Julien BURGUILLOS, 15. Lucien RICHARDIS. TThey also played: 16. David GALLEGO (x2, min 60), 17. Alberto GÓMEZ (x3, min 60), 18. Adam Llinares (x1, min 78), 20. Antonio GÁMEZ (x5, min 78), 21. Nicolás GALI (x9 , min 70), 22. Unax ZURIARRAIN (x12, min 66), 23. Gabriel ROCARIES (x14, min 70), 25. Martín SERRANO (x4, min 70).
Highlighter: Min 7 Rehearsal by Giacomo MILANO and Francesco IMBERTI 7-0 // Min 7 Amarilla Jokin ZOLEZZI // Min 31 Alberto’s rehearsal CARMONA 7-5 // Min 40 Test by Marco SCALABRIN 12-5 // Min 46 Yellow to Aniol FRANK // Min Punishment Rehearsal 19-5 // Min 49 Hugo Rehearsal GONZALEZ and tr de Gonzalo OTAMENDI 19-12 // Min 57 Hit tr by Gonzalo OTAMENDI 19-15 // Min 65 Hit tr by Francesco IMBERTI 22-15 // Min 73 Hit tr Francesco IMBERTI 25-15 // Min 78 Hit tr by Francesco IMBERTI 28-
