Hungary v Italy
Hungary (3pens) v (2pens) Italy
Hungary and Italy played out the first penalty shootout of the day on Pitch 1 after a wonderfully entertaining 8-8 draw marked by five goals for the big Hungarian No.5. Italy were clearly tired at first after a tough game earlier against the Scots. They kept plugging away though and against the odds found a second wind to counter the silky finishing of the Magyars.
Shootouts are always nerve-wracking affairs but as the HWC moves into its final days the tension ratchets up still further. So it was a credit to both sides that they managed to slot away the first four penalties with such calm precision. Hungary then bagged a third and the celebrating scorer ripped off his shirt in celebration. If that put off the Italian No.8 as he placed the ball down ready to bear down on goal we'll never know, but the Hungary keeper made the save and sent his team mates into a joyous celebration.
Joel Dimmock