1. Japan: Hirako, Dejima and Sugimori versus Poland: Niedzwiedzki, Druszkiewicz and Kustra.The Japanese team starts fastest. after three laps passing in 1.27,10. Poland 1.28,94. After 1.54,98, the last one of the Polish skaters falls, and it is over for them. Laps 28, lower half. They stay well together, 3.48,55 their time. The Polish finish in 4.19,50.

There is a short break to work on the ice where the Polish skater fell. I am not sure who it was.  

2. Germany: Dallmann, Heythausen and Weber versus Fabris, Anesi and Stefani. Italy has a good start, 31.07, 58,52, 1.26,50 and 1.54,43. The Germans then get faster and it gets really close. Fabris tries to pull the pack ahead, and they manage to finish in first, 3.46,77. Germany 3.47,71.

3. Netherlands: Kramer, W.Olde Heuvel and Wennemars against Norway: Flygind-Larsen, Haugli and Christiansen. So no Verheijen, like last year, but Olde Heuvel. Wennemars has a reason to be here more than being just reserve. Kramer opens. The Norwegians miss Bøkko. After three laps 1.24,06, Norway 1.26,23 is also good. Then 1.51,35 and 1.54,45. A few missers, but they remain a fast train. The Norwegians fall back to third place, slowing down considerably. The Dutch can see the Norwegians. Kramer now stays in the lead, Wennemars bites, and with all 27 laps and a final 28.0, the Dutch bring the TR to 3.41,68. the Norwegians have now high 28 laps and finish behind Italy and even Germany and Japan, with 3.48,61. A sure medal for the Netherlands.

4. Canada: D Morrison, Elm and Dankers versus Russia: Skobrev, Lalenkov and Yunin. Canada and Russia are two strong teams. All Canadian men have skated the 1500m, the Russians did not. Elm opens, Dankers is at the tail and htey have to wait for him in the start. Russia 17.60, Canada 18.60. and 31.07/32.39 for the full lap. Russia still a second ahead after 58.12/59.17. The Canadians have a good lap, it's now 1.25,76RUS/1.25,93CAN. 1.53.58RUS/? They don't make it. At 5 laps, they are both just faster than Italy, five seconds behind the Dutch. Two laps later, Canada is faster than Russia. Morrison has trouble in the last turn, and there they lose it. Not surprising considered his great effort in the 1500m, but 3.47,77 is not even on the podium. The Russians have 3.48.93, behind Norway.

So the Dutch win again, Italy is second and Germany is very happy with bronze. German TV had already left the rink. 

A few corrections on this TP: Japan 3.48.54, Poland 4.19,52. Italy 3.46.76, Netherlands 3.41,69.