Poland clinch Division IA

25 Apr 2014 | Alan Ilijic

With Great Britain out of the race for gold, Croatia and Poland had to decide which one would go up a tier next year. Poland were too strong for valiant Croats and have won the tournament one day prior to its end.

The lone unbeaten team in Vilnius clinched the gold medal and promotion to Division IA of the IIHF World Championship for next season with a win over Croatia, the second best team. Croatia lives to their first defeat after shocking Great Britain and Holland with two shutout wins, but then needed the shootout to get past Romania.

Poland remain atop the standings with 4 wins, while Great Britain definitely loses the race for gold. Dainius Zubrus brought the final judgement liftin Lithuania over the British, who will have every reason to feel resentful after the tournament.

Lithuania stands firm in second seed with 9 points, one more than Croatia, but can't win the group, trailing to Poland 3 points, as Poland beat them on Day 2.

Romania is 5th wtih 1 point and the Netherlands dead last with 4 losses, after Croatia, the biggest surprise of the tournament. Or better said, the biggest flaw so far. They will have the chance to secure the same tier Saturday when they play Romania, a direct clash to decide who will be relegated. Great Britain will play Poland, though it won't mean much, but Croatia and Lithuania will close the tournament, and directly decide who wins the silverware.