MIERCUREA CIUC, Romania – The Romanian national team will be back in Division I next year after having won the IIHF World Championship Division II Group A on home ice.

Romania knocked down their first four opponents by a 60-1 goal margin and but they had unbeaten Belgium left in the last game of the championship. The hosts also jumped over this last hurdle and beat the Belgians 5-1.

Romania had a short scare, when Belgium’s Mitch Morgan equalised, 1-1, but Ioan Timairu got the team back on track with his two goals. The Romanians were outshooting Belgium, 67-29, and left no doubt to whom the gold medal would go. Belgium had to do with silver while Serbia won bronze.

Israel grabbed fourth place after slamming Ireland 7-1. This meant that Bulgaria finished the tournament fifth and Ireland was relegated. The Irishmen didn’t manage to win a point in their Division II debut.

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