Tommy Purdeller was twice on target for Italy, while Christian Wejse and Mikkel Aagaard scored for Denmark in regulation time.
Denmark went into the match having won six of the seven previous World Championship games between the two nations, and they also enjoyed a perfect start to the match when Christian Wejse came flying down the wing and fired it in to give Denmark a 1–0 lead at 2:33.
Italy had hardly recovered from the early shock as Denmark scored again, only 16 seconds after the first goal, as Mikkel Aagaard drove to the net and one-timed it in for a 2-0 Danish lead to record the ninth point in this tournament.
After the bright start to the game, the second period was all about Italy, who outshot Denmark 13–5 in the first 15 minutes and deservedly restored parity before the third period through two goals by Tommy Purdeller.
Purdeller one-timed it in over a diving goalkeeper, Mads Sogaard, at 1:17 of the period during an early power play. And then, with 4:26 remaining in the period, Purdeller's wrister from the left faceoff circle beat Sogaard's top shelf to tie the game.
Denmark took over proceedings in the third period and outshot Italy 5-2 in the middle of the period, however, without being able to make the most of their dominance. But Russell saved Denmark in the shootout.
