Torsten Ankert is out of action due to a thigh injury / Last group game against Hungary today
With the last group match against Hungary today (19 p.m., live on SPORT1), the German national team is ending its already very successful participation in the 2016 IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship in St. Petersburg, Russia. "We will not make the mistake of underestimating Hungary," said defender Christian Ehrhoff before the match and demanded full concentration.
The goal is clear: after finally reaching the quarter-finals thanks to the Canadians' victory against the French in the afternoon, the German selection is eager for more. Third place in Group B is in sight DEB-Guys. A win after regular playing time would be the foundation for third place before the last day of the tournament.
However, who we will face in the round of the last eight will not be known until tomorrow evening. The question then becomes clear as to whether the national team has to move to Moscow on Wednesday or not. If the quarter-final opponent from Group A were Russia, then there would definitely be a move because the host will play all games in Moscow. If it were against Sweden or the Czech Republic, then the German selection could stay in St. Petersburg.
“It’s all in the future. “We have to win against Hungary first,” said Patrick Hager, putting the brakes on the euphoria: “It will be difficult enough.”
Torsten Ankert is no longer there. The defender of the Kölner Haien suffered a thigh injury against the Americans and began his journey home to Germany this afternoon. Tobias Rieder and Gerrit Fauser had previously returned home with injuries.
"Torsten Ankert tore a tendon in the hip joint in the second period without any external influence, which will probably mean he will be out of action for up to six weeks," said team doctor Dr. Peter Prodinger (Klinikum Rechts der Isar, Munich). "It's frustrating that I can no longer help the team, especially after the great games recently. I'm crossing my fingers for the boys in front of the TV," said Ankert.