The second day of the World Floorball Championships in the Czech Republic is now history. The action-packed Sunday program opened with a shootout between Germany and the USA, followed by several more wild matches. The match of the day was handled successfully by the home team against Latvia, and the only draw was recorded in the game between Australia and Japan.
USA – Germany 2:13 (2:4, 0:4, 0:5)
Germany opened the first match of the championships’ second day on a stronger note. Just 1:10 into the game, Anna-Lena Best made use of a cross-pass from Ina Jensen. Aline Marti then doubled the lead on the power play. However, the score was soon level again after two quick goals from the Americans, Jenny Hallström and Laura Zberg. From that moment on, though, it was only our western neighbours who kept adding to the scoresheet. The Germans turned the game in Brno into a shooting gallery, firing eleven unanswered goals past their helpless opponents. Anna-Lena Best, later named the game’s best player, contributed a hat-trick to the 13-2 victory, while Elena Bröker also found the net three times. After defeating Estonia, Germany also overcame the United States and now leads Group D.
Watch the match highlights in the IFF app!
Denmark – Switzerland 2:11 (1:4, 0:4, 1:3)
The Swiss gave the Danes the same goal treatment as the Czechs. The Swiss players scored in the first minute, and the second goal wasn’t long in coming. But the Danes didn’t lose heart and pulled one back when Karen Juul Thomsen surprised the Swiss goalkeeper from behind the net. The Danes even had a chance to equalize during a power play, but they failed to take advantage of it. On the other hand, the Swiss quickly went on the counterattack and increased their lead while shorthanded. The second period was then dominated by the favorites, who scored four goals against the Danish goal. Denmark started the final period with a goalie change, with Mette Jensen replacing Liv Petersen. Although Jensen made several excellent saves, her hopes of a shutout were dashed by Isabelle Gerig’s hat trick, followed by two more goals.
Watch the match highlights in the IFF app!
Finland – Slovakia 13:4 (5:0, 4:1, 4:3)
After Saturday’s draw with Sweden, Finland took its first win, defeating Slovakia 13-4. The Northerners were helped by a lightning goal after 11 seconds of the game, but their opponents were very tough. The Slovaks played boldly and created interesting chances, especially on breakaways. One of their shots even grazed the post.
However, coach Michal Jedlička’s players failed to convert their promising chances, and the Finns increased their lead. After less than a quarter of an hour, Team Suomi dominated 4-0, including one power-play goal. Finland also got off to a good start in the second period, quickly increasing their lead to 6-0. The world vice-champions were in a comfortable position for the rest of the match and did not let their success slip away, despite a few moments of weakness. The fabulous Veera Kauppi scored six goals and two assists.
Watch the match highlights in the IFF app!
Australia – Japan 2:2 (2:1, 0:1, 0:0)
In the Group C match between Australia and Japan, the Asian team started better. After seven minutes, Nonoka Tajima opened the scoring. The Australians didn’t take long to respond, as Blaise Hodges equalised a minute later, delighting the large Australian crowd. One more goal was scored in the opening period, and thanks to Zoe Shanahan, Australia turned the score in their favour. Japan managed to equalise with one second remaining in the exact middle of the game. After a pass from Yu Abe, Rimi Motoki found the target. For the rest of the match, both teams tried to score the desired third goal. However, all shooting attempts either missed the net or were stopped by the prepared goalkeepers-Hollands for Australia and Sato for Japan. After a 2-2 draw, both Australia and Japan add one point to the standings.
Watch the match highlights in the IFF app!
Estonia – Singapore 9:2 (3:2, 2:0, 4:0)
Although it wasn’t easy at first, Estonia scored its first victory at the World Championships. It initially led Singapore 3:0, but by the end of the first period, it was only a one-goal lead. The Estonians struggled to settle the game in the second period, despite having opportunities. Around the halfway point, however, the favorites scored two goals in a row and broke through their opponents’ tough defense. The Estonian team did not let up in the final period and ended up with a clear 9:2 victory.
Watch the match highlights in the IFF app!
Latvia – Czechia 2:6 (1:4, 0:2, 1:0)
The Czech women’s floorball team did not falter in their second match at the World Championships either, winning 6:2. Although their opponents from Latvia fought hard in some parts of the match, it was not enough to earn them any points in the end. The match was watched by almost 2,300 fans, who saw Karolína Klubalová and Barbora Husková achieve a 1+1 statistic.
Watch the match highlights in the IFF app!
Netherlands – Norway 4:8 (0:1, 1:2, 3:5)
One of the evening matches was between the Netherlands and Norway, both of whom had won on the opening day of the tournament. Once again, both sides were clearly motivated to succeed. Norway took the lead in the eighth minute, but their rivals fought hard and equalized at the start of the second period. The match was fast-paced, with both teams taking turns at creating chances, but it was the Norwegians who scored, giving them a two-goal lead. In the final phase, the Dutch fell apart in defense, and even a late goals did not help them.
Watch the match highlights in the IFF app!
Poland – Sweden 0:21 (0:8, 0:6, 0:7)
The second Advent Sunday full of floorball concluded with a clash between the favoured Swedes and Poland. The Polish team fought with all their might, but they could not prevent a demolition. Tre Kronor’s goal horn ultimately played twenty-one times in the arena. And the history books were rewritten. At 11:09, during a power play, Emelie Wibron wound up and scored her 58th goal and 99th career point at the Women’s World Floorball Championships. With this, the thirty-three-year-old Swedish legend became the most productive player of all time at women’s world championships. At the end of the opening period, she struck once more, bringing her total to an even one hundred points (59+41).
