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The Ukrainians are ensured a place in Sunday’s showpiece while Russia look set to finish the job.
Ukraine secured top spot in Division A, Group One with a 7-5 win over Spain in Catania on Friday and will contest the Superfinal for a second year running, withn Russia likely to provide the opposition.
Riabchuk and Medved cancelled out Ezequiel’s brace for Ukraine in an entertaining opening period against five-time champions Spain, with Medved’s second-period brace helping Ukraine battle back from 4-3 down to lead.
Shcherytsia and Voitok then took the game away from Spain, with Ukraine, runners-up to Portugal in 2015, now knowing they will get chance to make amends for defeat in Estonia last year.
Russia earlier moved top of Division A, Group Two after edging defending champions Portugal 3-2 in extra time.
The world champions fought back to lead through Coimbra’s brace after Romanov’s opener but Nikonorov levelled again to take an enthralling contest into extra time, where Shkarin struck the crucial blow from the spot.
It leaves Russia in a strong position to qualify for Sunday’s final, while hosts Italy will take on the world champions next having picked up their first points of the Superfinal in Catania in dramatic fashion, as two late Palmacci goals ensured a 7-5 win against Switzerland.
The sides exchanged goals for much of what was an absorbing contest, with Switzerland leading 5-4 going into the final four minutes.
However, Di Palma levelled before Palmacci wrapped up his hat-trick with goals inside the final minute to send the locals home happy.
Belarus also picked up their first points of the Superfinal, with a convincing 7-2 win against Germany.
Defeats to Ukraine and Spain respectively on Friday left both sides without points but braces from Samsonov and Kanstansinau helped Belarus turn on the style and power past a Germany side ranked only three places beneath them in the rankings.
The win leaves Belarus looking up in Division A, Group One while Germany will hope to avoid a pointless campaign against Ukraine on Saturday.
Azerbaijan all but confirmed their place in the Promotion Final after beating England 2-0 in a tense, close-fought contest early on Friday.
Both sides picked up wins on the opening day and it took almost two periods for them to be separated on day two, with Sabir eventually breaking the deadlock.
Hikmat added a third shortly after the restart to effectively seal a win that looks likely to take Azerbaijan into the final, while England face Turkey on Saturday looking to tie up a spot in the third-place play-off.
Hungary were made to sweat by Moldova but did enough to earn a 5-4 win and maintain their winning start in Catania.
Moldova were on course for a surprise win as they led 3-1 midway through the second period and even went into the final frame ahead thanks to Ciopa, Podlesnov and two Hungarian own goals.
However, a brace from captain Berkes and one from Besenyei kept Hungary on track for a return to the top tier while Romania, one year after promotion to the elite group, slipped from Division A following defeat on penalties against Estonia.
Not even an inspired brilliant performance by Maci was enough for the Romanians, with Czech Republic picking up their first points of the Promotion Final with a 4-3 comeback victory against Turkey.
Both sides tasted defeat on the opening day in Sicily and it looked as though Turkey would bounce back when Erkan and Cem Keskin put them two to the good by the end of the first period. However, Vhynal’s brace alongside further goals from Radosta and Kovarik ensured Hurab’s late own goal mattered little.
Friday results
Czech Republic 4-3 Turkey
Moldova 4-5 Hungary
Azerbaijan 2-0 England
Romania (2) 3-3 (3) Estonia
Belarus 7-2 Germany
Russia 3-2 (AET) Portugal
Spain 5-7 Ukraine
Switzerland 5-7 Italy
Saturday fixtures
England v Turkey
Estonia v Hungary
Azerbaijan v Czech Republic
Romania v Moldova
Ukraine v Germany
Switzerland v Russia
Spain v Belarus
Italy v Portugal
