Mission completed – Israel takes gold at U20 Worlds in Bulgaria

With a 4-1 win against Turkey, Israel secured the top spot at the 2024 IIHF U20 World Championship in Division IIIA with a game to play.

With the tournament’s top scorer Mike Levin having to sit out a one-game suspension, it took our guys a few minutes to settle down. While trying to find their rhythm they found themselves trailing after Muhammet Karaman opened the scoring inside the four-minute mark.

The score was leveled in the 14^th minute thanks to a powerplay. Technically, it was an equal-strength goal as Nikita Zitserman fired home fractions after Enes Demir rushed back on the ice from the penalty box. But the Turkish forward had no chance of coming to the rescue in time since the Israeli attack already reached its crucial stage.

Soon, came another chance to play with an extra man. Once again, Demir was a villain leaving his teammates 3-on-5. A mere 16 seconds of double advantage were not enough to capitalize on but after the fourth Turkish skater returned to action Yann Raskin put Israel in front with Zitserman adding a helper to his earlier goal. This was a fair outcome of the opening session with the shot count standing at 22-9 in our favor after 20 minutes of play.

The second stanza brought no changes in score with both goalies standing tall. Turkey’s Furkan Duran remained the busiest of them but our own Alon Shpinel was also tested occasionally having had to stay alert and come up with a couple of spectacular saves.

The most dangerous moment came in the 53^rd minute with Turkey playing shorthanded again. Our boys lost control of the puck allowing Ege Odabas to rush to the net but Shpinel won the duel which probably secured him the Man of the Match award. And a few moments later 15-year-old Zitserman scored his second of the afternoon to make it 3-1.

In the 56^th minute, Itay Kerner added the fourth putting the outcome beyond any doubt. And this means not just the outcome of the game but the tournament itself. With 12 points after four games, Israel is uncatchable and can take its Sunday’s game versus Mexico as a lap of honor.

Next year, Israel U20 will play in Division IIB with Japan, Estonia, Italy, Ukraine and Poland.