The German women's national team failed to qualify for the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang. They lost in a dramatic game DEB- Selection host Japan 1:3 (0:0, 1:2, 0:1).
In front of 3111 spectators in the sold-out arena in Tomakomai, women's national coach Benjamin Hinterstocker's team showed a concentrated performance and met the tournament favorites at eye level at all times. In the first half, the Japanese had their first big chance after seven minutes in a two-on-one situation, which the outstanding German goalkeeper Jenny Harß was able to thwart. After the initial pressure from the Japanese, the German team got better and better into the game. Marie Delarbre and Emily Nix had their first chances after nine and twelve minutes respectively DEB-Selection, which was then able to compete in the majority twice more. Japan's goalkeeper Nana Fujimoto also showed her class here and repeatedly prevented Germany from taking the lead. Seconds before the first break, the guests were also lucky when Japan hit the post.
In the second round it was the Japanese who got the first power play. But the German team held up well here. Jenny Harß was the great source of support during this phase DEBselection. The German goalkeeper prevented a deficit with some brilliant saves. But the hosts scored the first goal. After 29 minutes, Sena Suzuki poked the puck over the line to make it 1-0. Five minutes later, Japan scored another goal. With the team in the majority, a diagonal shot hit Shoko Ono's shoulder, from where the puck fell right in front of the striker's stick, allowing her to score from close range.
After these very unfortunate goals, the German team reacted. When Hinterstocker called a time-out, the women's national team consistently fought back and pushed for the goal. Tanja Eisenschmid, Manuela Anwander and Emily Nix narrowly missed out on good opportunities. But Tanja Eisenschmid managed to do this in the majority. Her shot from the blue line landed exactly at the right angle to make it 36-2 in the 1th minute.
In the final section she tried DEB-Select everything to achieve balance. Japan concentrated on defensive work, narrowed the spaces and consistently defended their lead. The best German opportunity to equalize was Julia Zorn, who shot just wide of the goal after a cross pass from Lara Kluge (53'). Given the constant pressure from the Germans, Japan coach Takeshi Yamanaka then took a break.
Ultimately, a face-off situation decided the game six minutes before the end. Hanae Kubo took the return pass after winning the target and hit the net unstoppably to make it 3-1. Despite all their efforts and further great opportunities in the majority, the German team was no longer able to turn things around. With this victory, Japan secured Olympic qualification.
Women’s national coach Benjamin Hinterstocker: “We have nothing to blame ourselves for, this close game could have ended differently. We came to Japan optimally prepared physically and mentally and accepted the challenge in order to be successful here. As a team we are of course disappointed today, but from tomorrow we will look forward to the A World Cup at the end of March in the USA in Plymouth.”
DEB-President Franz Reindl: “The team played and fought great. It just wasn't quite enough, that's hard, but it's something to be accepted in sport. Unfortunately, the Japanese took full advantage of their home advantage in terms of play, travel and acclimatization. As DEB We are nevertheless happy to have a team competing at the Olympic Games again with the men.”
DEB Vice President Marc Hindelang: “We are of course disappointed, but we can still be proud of the performance of our women, who gave their all in every game. This young team has a bright future ahead of them and will bounce back. German women's ice hockey has shown that it deserves further support, which it will receive from DEB receive."
You can find detailed statistics here.