Ice Hockey-Finland Beat Slovakia to Reach Gold Medal Final

Patrik Rybar of Slovakia and Martin Marincin of Slovakia in action as Sakari Manninen of Finland shoots to score their first goal. (Reuters)
Patrik Rybar of Slovakia and Martin Marincin of Slovakia in action as Sakari Manninen of Finland shoots to score their first goal. (Reuters)
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Ice Hockey-Finland Beat Slovakia to Reach Gold Medal Final

Patrik Rybar of Slovakia and Martin Marincin of Slovakia in action as Sakari Manninen of Finland shoots to score their first goal. (Reuters)
Patrik Rybar of Slovakia and Martin Marincin of Slovakia in action as Sakari Manninen of Finland shoots to score their first goal. (Reuters)

Finland claimed a 2-0 win over Slovakia to reach the men's ice hockey final at the Beijing Games on Friday helped by Sakari Manninen's first period goal and Harri Sateri's shutout netminding.

With Slovakia pulling their netminder for an extra-attacker late on in a bid to draw level, Harri Pesonen scored into an empty net with 39 seconds left to wrap up the victory.

Finland now await the winners of the second semi-final later on Friday between defending gold medalists the Russian Olympic Committee (ROC) and Sweden.

The Finns had easily handled Slovakia in their tournament opener, easing to a 6-2 win, but this time faced much more determined opponents battling for a place in Sunday's gold medal game.

Finland scored the only goal of an opening period that produced few scoring chances.

But Manninen made one of Finland's seven shots count by pouncing on a rebound and lifting it over sprawling netminder Patrik Rybar for a 1-0 lead.

The rest of the game featured a goaltending duel between Rybar and Sateri, who made 28 saves to earn the shutout, with Pesonen finding the net to round off the win for Finland.



Guardiola Says It’s His Responsibility to Get City Firing Again

 Manchester City's head coach Pep Guardiola watches the play during the English Premier League soccer match between Manchester City and Tottenham at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester, England, Sunday, Nov. 24, 2024. (AP)
Manchester City's head coach Pep Guardiola watches the play during the English Premier League soccer match between Manchester City and Tottenham at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester, England, Sunday, Nov. 24, 2024. (AP)
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Guardiola Says It’s His Responsibility to Get City Firing Again

 Manchester City's head coach Pep Guardiola watches the play during the English Premier League soccer match between Manchester City and Tottenham at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester, England, Sunday, Nov. 24, 2024. (AP)
Manchester City's head coach Pep Guardiola watches the play during the English Premier League soccer match between Manchester City and Tottenham at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester, England, Sunday, Nov. 24, 2024. (AP)

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola said it is his responsibility to get their season back on track after they suffered a fifth successive defeat on Saturday and that the current squad is strong enough to turn things around.

City's 4-0 Premier League defeat to Tottenham Hotspur at Etihad Stadium marked the first time in Guardiola's career that he has lost five games in a row in all competitions.

They have been without a number of key players this season, with Ballon d'Or winner Rodri, midfielder Mateo Kovacic and defender Ruben Dias among those absent due to injury on Saturday.

"We don't expect to lose important players for many times, but it's happened. You have to find a way to deal with that ...," Guardiola told reporters.

"When we start to lose, I said to the people: 'I have to find a way - I have to. We have to find another way to win it.' It's my duty, my responsibility. Find a way to be more consistent and our game will be better, and we will win games."

Asked if City needed to be strengthened in the transfer window, Guardiola added: "I trust more than ever with these players. I think the squad, when all the squad is there, is exceptional, but the team is not ready here."

City are second on 23 points, eight adrift of leaders Liverpool who they meet at Anfield on Sunday.