The second preliminary round victory for Germany’s national ice hockey team is to come against France. The 2021 World Cup fourth will go into play on Monday (7:20 p.m.) as the clear favorite.
“The game is not as easy as you think,” said Berlin striker Marcel Noebels: “You mustn’t forget that this is a nation that doesn’t have much to lose. If you can play freely, it often does lighter.”
The initial situation:
At the start of the World Cup, Toni Söderholm, who was in ninth place in the world rankings, lost 5-3 to record world champions Canada and then won 2-1 to Slovakia, who came third in the Olympics. “We improved a bit after the first game,” said Noebels.
The opponent:
The world number 13. Playing along only because Russia and Belarus were suspended as a result of the Russian attack on Ukraine. Against Slovakia, the French made up a 2-0 loss but lost 4-2. There was a narrow 2:1 against Kazakhstan.
The stats:
Germany won six of eleven World Cup matches. In the last duel in Slovakia in 2019, it was a clear 4:1, it was the first World Cup with national coach Toni Söderholm.
National coach Toni Söderholm says:
“It’s a passionate team. They live on emotions. You have to remember where they come from. They want to prove themselves. Many will say they don’t belong here,” said the 44-year-old: “These are typical opponents , where you think you sleep for a bit at some point in the game and then something happens.” The Finn did not reveal whether he is backing NHL goalkeeper Philipp Grubauer or Berlin champion goalkeeper Mathias Niederberger.
The perspective:
After the game in France, the German Ice Hockey Federation team has two days off for the only time during the tournament. Only on Thursday does the fourth group game against Denmark continue. Games against Italy, Kazakhstan and Switzerland follow. The aim is to finish the preliminary round in the group of eight in the top four in order to advance to the quarter-finals.
Source: dpa