What are the German chances?
At the World Championships in Riga last year, the squad impressed, reached the semi-finals for the first time since their home World Championships in 2010 and narrowly missed out on a medal. The severe setback followed at the Olympic Games in Beijing. The team came with gold ambitions and failed before the quarter-finals. And now? As in previous years, the quarter-finals is the minimum goal. But the statements no longer sound so bold. “Of course we want to make it to the knockout stages”says the German sports director Christian Künast anyway.
Last World Cup test rather moderate
At the last World Cup test in Schwenningen against Austria, the German team won 3-1, but could not convince and did not show World Cup form. “You can tell that some players have 60, 70 games in their legs. It took a lot of mental energy.”says Soderholm.
German team with personnel problems
In Finland, the coach is struggling with personnel problems. Above all, the recent cancellation of striker Dominik Kahun from SC Bern hurts. Berlin’s Manuel Wiederer and Munich’s Patrick Hager and Frederik Tiffels also canceled. The earlier ones are not included either NHL-Professionals Tom Kühnhackl and Tobias Rieder. It is not uncommon for players to forego a World Cup in an Olympic season. The consequences of the corona pandemic robbed additional energy, other players are injured.
Hopes rest on the three NHL professionals in the squad: defender Moritz Seider Detroit, Ottawastriker Tim Stützle and world-class goalkeeper Philipp Grubauer Seattle. It is unclear whether other professionals from North America will move up in the course of the tournament. Söderholm is considering not officially reporting all squad positions immediately. It is unlikely that NHL top star Leon Draisaitl will come.
And what about Corona?
Unlike 2021, the tournament will not be held in a bubble. Players are also allowed to go into town during their free time. A year ago there were only a few spectators, this time full halls are allowed. According to sports director Künast, as a precautionary measure before departure PCR-Test mandatory, only a quick test on arrival.
The German squad
Goalkeeper: Philipp Grubauer (Seattle Kraken), Mathias Niederberger (Eisbären Berlin), Dustin Strahlmeier (grizzlies Wolfsburg)
Defense: Dominik Bittner (Grizzlys Wolfsburg), Korbinian Holzer (Adler Mannheim), Jonas Müller (Eisbären Berlin), Moritz Müller (Kölner Haie), Moritz Seider (Detroit Red Wings), Fabio Wagner (ERC Ingolstadt), Kai Wissmann (Eisbären Berlin), Mario Zimmermann (Straubing Tigers)
Attack: Alexander Ehl (Düsseldorfer EG), Yasin Ehliz (EHC Munich), Daniel Fischbuch (Düsseldorfer EG), Taro Jentzsch (Iserlohn). Roosters), Alexander Karachun (Schwenninger Wild Wings), Maximilian Kastner (EHC Munich), Stefan Loibl (Skellefteå AIK), Marc Michaelis (Toronto Marlies), Marcel Noebels (Berlin polar bears), Leonhard Pföderl (Berlin polar bears), Matthias Plachta (Adler Mannheim), Daniel Schmölz (Nuremberg Ice Tigers), Samuel Soramies (ERC Ingolstadt), Tim Stutzle (Ottawa Senators)
Source: sid/dpa