The Russian team again emerged victorious in the 2020 FIM Ice Speedway of Nations after an entertaining afternoon in Berlin. With early rain giving way to sunshine, a good-sized crowd enjoyed some interesting racing.
Having led the field after Day 1 the Russian team were again top of the qualifying scorers to seal their place in the Grand Final with a ten point margin and it was Daniil Ivanov who emerged on top to add another twelve points to his score from Day 1. Dmitry Khomitsevich was also unbeaten by an opponent, but Igor Kononov was the only Russian to be beaten when Johann Weber held him back into third place in Heat 30.
The Grand Final saw the Russian pair take the lead from the first bend and despite the efforts of Niclas Svensson they never looked troubled and, as the best team present, fully deserved their gold medal. The Swedes had provided a good response to the Russian superiority with the two Svenssons giving good support to top scorer Haarahiltunen who would have claimed another three points, but for his engine failure on the last lap whilst leading Heat 31.
Germany needed a maximum five points in their Heat 40 battle against Sweden. Although Weber took the chequered flag first, Marcus Jell was unable to make any impression on the Swedish pair leaving the home team to contest the Bronze medal place with Austria whose gold medal chances had been lost in a defeat by the Swedes in Heat 37.
In the third place race off both Harald Simon and Franz Zorn fell on the first bend and with Zorn unable to take his place in the restart Hans Weber and Max Niedermaier were left to coast around the track unchallenged to the delight of the home fans. It was a sad end for the Austrians, who despite Simon’s best efforts were missing the usual fight from Franz Zorn who has yet to recapture his best form.
Of the remaining teams Khazakstan made a welcome return to the competition with a fifth place ahead of a disappointing Czech Republic and underpowered Finland who failed to win a race.
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