With passion, strong nerves and freezing cold in front of the Swiss goal, Germany sensationally shot its way into the semi-finals of the Ice Hockey World Championship on Thursday (May 25th, 2023). The first medal in 70 years is now waving – participation in the 2026 Olympic tournament in Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo has already been secured with the 3-1 (1-0, 2-1, 0-0) success. The USA are now waiting in the semi-finals in Tampere on Saturday at 5:20 p.m. (live ticker at sportschau.de).
The Swiss, who had stormed through the previous tournament with one gala after the other, initially surprised with a change in the goalkeeper position. Not Leonardo Genoni, who had the best catch rate of all World Cup goalies, was between the posts, but Robert Mayer.
That proved to be extremely daring in the first third. Germany initially came under a bit of pressure, but quickly freed themselves and had the first chances.
Switzerland goalie Mayer wobbles
Mayer was able to parry an attempt by Marcel Noebels with the schooner (7th), but seconds later he was beaten: Jonas Müller conquered the target in his own third and sent Maximilian Kastner on his way, who fired a rather harmless shot from a concealed position. Mayer apparently already had the disc safely before it slipped out again and tumbled over the line behind his back in slow motion: 1-0 for the clear outsider after a catastrophic goalkeeper error.
Mayer seemed shocked, and a minute later let Nico Sturm’s wrist shot rebound forward. At the same time, the ice comrades’ offensive game, which had been so brilliant in the course of the tournament so far, came to a standstill because the Germans effectively disrupted the build-up and consistently completed the checks. The little that got through always landed safely with goalie Mathias Niederberger in the first third.
Cane hit before equalization not punished
Goal scorer Kastner praised Sport1 in the third break that his goal had broken the rhythm of the Swiss and warned of renewed pressure at the beginning of the second round. But that’s exactly what happened – and this time with consequences: After just 47 seconds, Niederberger had to let Jonas Siegenthaler’s shot pass from a central position.
However, the 1-1 equalization should not have counted. Seconds earlier, Moritz Seider had received a clear hit with the stick from Kevin Fiala, whose racquet even broke. That was a wrong decision with multiple repercussions.
Game penalty for Seider after gang check
After the equalizer, Germany initially lost a four-minute advantage, then Seider, apparently still angry, rammed the Swiss Gaetan Haas into the gang from behind. After a video check, there were five penalty minutes plus a game misconduct penalty – for the best DEB defender it was already over after half an hour. After all: The district selection survived the five-minute shortfall with outstanding commitment and a brilliant Niederberger.
The Swiss kept the pressure on for almost the entire second third, but one attack wave after the other was blocked. When the power then dropped a bit, the Germans countered ice cold: John-Jason Peterka completed a super combination with a crack in the left corner (38th) to lead 2:1. Switzerland came again, Maksymilian Szuber had to go to the penalty box for two minutes and the equalizer threatened. But outnumbered, the Germans made the next break: Wojciech Stachowiak brilliantly took Nico Sturm with him in a two-on-one, who scored a one-timer to make it 3-1 (39th).
Müller and Stachowiak miss a huge chance
In the final third, the Germans had learned from the two previous sections. This time they couldn’t be pushed back, disrupted the Swiss attacks in the neutral zone and repeatedly launched their own attacks. Niederberger still had to intervene from time to time, but the Germans had the clearest chance eight minutes before the end: Justin Schütz slammed the disc against the inside post, Stachowiak pushed the rebound inches wide of the empty goal.
Impressive: In the final minutes, Harold Kreis’s team managed to hardly allow any opposing chances. The lead in the duel was outstanding, the Swiss could hardly come up with anything offensive. Almost four minutes before the end, coach Patrick Fischer took his goalie off the ice, but Germany also defended coolly and consistently against six field players until the final siren – like a real World Cup medalist.
Sturm even dreams of the title
Or is even the title possible? what else is inside “Everything”Nico Sturm replied: “Why shouldn’t we win two more games?” The Stanley Cup-Sieger had gone well beyond the pain threshold with his teammates. “I didn’t feel my legs at all for the last ten minutes. I’m incredibly proud of the team, how everyone fought for everyone else. Unbelievable.”said Storm.
National coach Harold Kreis was also enthusiastic: “I can only take my hat off again and again. We know that it’s only about unconditional support and togetherness.” John-Jason Peterka emphasized: “We all played for Moritz, you don’t have to give the penalty. But it was incredible how everyone threw themselves in. We don’t have to hide in terms of play, but in the end it’s how we fight for each other that distinguishes us.”