The German national ice hockey team is playing for a medal at the Olympic ice hockey tournament. This was successful against the heavy favorites Sweden DEB- Selection in the quarter-finals with a sensational 4:3 (2:0, 0:0, 1:3, 1:0) after extra time. In the semi-finals, the team of national coach Marco Sturm will face the reigning Olympic champions Canada. "I am just proud of this team," said Sturm: "They gave it their all, threw everything they could into it. They were rewarded for their hard work."
The first ten minutes at the Kwangdong Hockey Center belonged to the three-crown team, which created numerous scoring opportunities, including an early power play after just four minutes. In this phase, the world champion had a shooting ratio of 13:0, but was unable to overcome the safe Danny aus den Birken in the German goal.
That came with our first power play DEB- Selection in the game, increased security. Felix Schütz had the first good opportunity after eleven minutes when he dangerously deflected a shot from Christian Ehrhoff. Three minutes later it was Markus Kink who also tested Sweden's goalkeeper Viktor Fasth. The keeper then had to reach behind him for the first time after 14 minutes. Christian Ehrhoff pulled away from the blue line when he was in the majority, Felix Schütz blocked Fasth's view and Germany led 1-0.
Only 29 seconds later the Germans were able to Fans, among whom were again numerous athletes from the Olympic team, were once again celebrating. Markus Kink hit the puck with force in front of the Swedish goal, where Marcel Noebels was the first to react and increased the score to 2:0. A third goal would have been possible against the visibly shocked world champions, but Marcel Goc narrowly missed.
In the second third, the Scandinavians increased the pressure, but their actions barely got them through to aus den Birken's goal. His front men defended with passion and blocked numerous shots. Only four shots reached the German goal. Shortly before the second break, the German team was lucky when Sweden's Bertilsson got in the way of the post (38th). Dominik Kahun had the best German opportunity in this section, but was denied by Fasth.
In the last third, events came to a head. Sweden's attack was initially rewarded when Anton Länder scored the goal after 47 minutes. Just two minutes later, Dominik Kahun restored the old gap with a world-class goal. The striker rounded the Swedish defender Johan Fransson and shot unstoppable for Fasth to make it 3-1. But the favorite wasn't beaten yet. Just a minute later, the world champion reduced the score to 3-2 through Patrick Hersley. Shortly afterwards, Markus Kink had the chance to score the fourth German goal, but was narrowly missed by Fasth.
On the other hand, Danny aus den Birken had no chance when MIkael Wikstrand's hidden shot was taken. After 52 minutes the game was level again. However, it didn't tip over because the German team fought against it with a lot of passion and was able to set new standards again and again.
This was also the case in extra time. 1 minute and 30 seconds had been played when Yasin Ehliz claimed the goal in the opponent's third and brought it in front of the goal, where Patrick Reimer scored the much-celebrated winning goal.
After this historic success, the German national team is in the semifinals and will face Canada on Friday.