U.S. Falls Short, but More Chances Loom

This was merely a skirmish, one the U.S. lost by inches.

When Tony Azevedo’s shot deflected off the post with one second left, Yugoslavia had held on for a 9-8 victory in the UPS International Cup on Friday. This one was stamped: to-be-continued.

The two teams will meet again Sunday in the final, if the U.S. gets at least a tie against Italy in its final pool play game today. Another rematch looms in September at the Olympics, where the U.S. and Yugoslavia are in the same pool

So this certainly wasn’t for keeps.

Still, the crowd of 1,500 at the Los Alamitos Armed Forces Reserved Center wasn’t cheated.

Yugoslavia built a 7-3 lead early in the third period, then went 10 minutes without scoring and the U.S. rallied. Azevedo’s penalty shot gave the U.S. an 8-7 lead with 3:37 left.

Aleksandar Sepic tied the score 30 seconds later and Viktor Jelenic’s back-hand shot gave Yugoslavia the lead with 1:46 left.

Azevedo had the last chance for the U.S., which had a six-on-five advantage. His shot was inches off.

“That was pretty good game for the end of June,” U.S. Coach John Vargas said. “We’re not in Olympic shape yet. Hopefully we’ll be able to turn it up a couple notches.”

Still, Vargas had to be pleased. His team played even with the best talent in the world. Just ask any Yugoslav player.

“We have the best quality, but quality doesn’t always win the gold,” said Sepic, who had two goals. “The Olympics is a peculiar tournament. The team with quality doesn’t always win the gold medal.

“Spain did not have the best quality in 1996, but they had some luck and ended up golden boys.”

Yugoslavia, which won Olympic gold medal in 1984 and 1988, has dominated the tournament, outscoring opponents, 36-18, before Friday’s match.