Great Britain’s U20 side collected a bronze medal from their Division 1B tournament in Megeve after the final day of games.
GB weren’t in action themselves today due to Japan’s late withdrawal, but were focussed on the final match between Poland and hosts France. Only a regulation time France win would move Britain from silver to bronze – and that’s exactly what a happened at the Palais des Sports this evening.
France tore into the previously unbeaten Poland team, winning in the end by 7-2 which not only bumped GB into bronze but also lifted France into gold medal position. They had needed to win by four goals to overturn the goal difference in the three-way tie. France, Poland and GB all finished with 8 points from their four games and, having each beaten one of the other teams, the tie breaker went to goal difference.
GB captain Ollie Betteridge collected the third placed trophy and players and staff their bronze medals. Lewis Hook was named as GB’s best player of the tournament, to add to the GBSC award he picked up on Wednesday night.
Tom Watkins said: “We came into the tournament as sixth seeds, to go home with a bronze medal is a phenomenal achievement and everyone should be proud of what they’ve done this week.
“It’s been a great team and fantastic group of people to work with.”
Great Britain fly home early Saturday from Geneva to Manchester. The next international action for the GB programme is the U18 women’s Division 1 qualification tournament in Austria early in the new year.
