Team Great Britain played with Ben Bowns in goal, while the Dutch relied on Martijn Oosterwijk. Center Nardo Nagtzaam, who practiced hard on Friday, joined his Dutch team after a knee injury.

Russell Cowley wins the opening Face Off. And Team Great-Britain storms the Dutch goal. Joshua Batch, Robert Dowd and Colin Shields besiege the Martijn Oosterwijk sanctuary. The first three minutes seemed a perpetual powerplay by the Brits. But after a British icing the first face off in the Dutch attack zone takes place. And a first shot while rotating by Maarten Brekelmans. The puck was stopped by Ben Bowns with a butterfly save. From behind the goalline Diederick Hagemeijer paasses to Steve Mson in the slot. And Steve bounces the puck into the net for 0-1 (3.09). But the British have their answer ready. At the blueline Ben O'Connor passes to his defensemate. And Paul Swindlehurst scores from right wing low in the far corner of the net for the 1-1 equalizer (4.01). From left wing Chris Blight scores a backhand marker into the nearby corner, 2-1 (9.24). Diedrick Hagemeijer mishandles the puck and Craig Peacock takes over. He skates in alone on the Dutch goaltender and funds the net. 3-1 after 12.13. That is the sign for Dutch coach Chris Eimers to change goalies. Martijn Oosterwijk was not on top of this game, so from then on Ian Meierdres guards the net. Team Great-Britain is keen on testing the fresh goalie. But Ian does not falter. Not even to Robert Farmer's shots. The Bruijsten brothers, Mitch and Kevin, occasionally tried to bother Ben Bowns. But goaltender and British defensemen stood their ground. Seconds before the first intermission (19.53) Mark Garside is caught slashing.

On the powerplay Steve Mason forces Ben Bowns to come up with a big save. Chris Blight nearly records a shorthander, but for the leg save of Meierdres. Coach Chris Eimers juggles with his lines. He lets Nardo Nagtzaam center between the Bruijstens. Jonathan Weaver rushes from end to end, but sees his effort blocked by by the stick of Ian Meierdres. From behind the cage Julian van Lijden goes for the nearby corner. But the puck finally ends under the iron of the cage. The British defensemen try to `bury` Julian underneath the ice. This forces an extensive ice repair. On this play Joshua Batch gets a rouhing penalty. Not much powerplay by the Dutch, beside a shot for along by Peter van Biezen. And right after the Dutch are at full strength defenseman Erik Tummers is sent to the penalty box for hooking. Robert Dowd is most dangerous. And again Jonathan Phillips passes by a great scoring opportunity. Also Jonathan Boxill has an extraordinary scoring opportunity. But goalie Ian Meierdres rules.

Mark Garside lets the goalpost sing, Craig Peacock shoots over the goal and a Matthew Myers solo is stopped by the Dutch goaltender. On a give and go with Steve Mason Diederick Hagemeijer's shot sails wide. But they did draw a penalty to Mark Thomas for holding. The Dutch try hard to set up a real powerplay, but they only account for a few ineffective shots on goal. Meierdres denies Colin Shields on what seemed to be a sure goal. At 53.58 a surprise marker by The Netherlands. The rbound of a Julian van Lijden shot is buried by Levi Houkes for 3-2. An incorrect pass by the Brits and Julian van Lijden is allowed 2 shots on goal. But no marker. At 58.37 coach Chris Eimers takes the Time Out. And goalie Ian Meierdres stays in the bench. And with a penalty against David Phillips the Dutch have two skaters extra. But Great Britain survived.

Defenseman Jordy van Oorschot was elected best player for Team The Netherlands, while Jonathan Phillips got the nod for the Brits. The latter selection is a big puzzle to me for in this match Jonathan Phillips was the attacker to kill several of the most golden opportunities to score. Of course Great-Britain deservedly won this encounter, but their play was very unimaginative.