SPORT1 live from 13.30 p.m. / Dennis Seidenberg is in the squad at lunchtime, Bernhard Ebner is paused / Timo Pielmeier between the posts
Only one! Today's game against South Korea marks the end of a four-week preparation phase for the German national ice hockey team for the 2018 IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship in Herning/Denmark (May 4th - 20th, 2018). Immediately after the encounter with the Asians (13.30 p.m., live on SPORT1), the German entourage goes back to Germany. The players should relax there for a few days and recharge their batteries before the World Cup countdown starts next Tuesday.
Dennis Seidenberg will be taking part in the dress rehearsal against South Korea for the first time. The New York Islanders defender took a break in last Wednesday's 3-4 overtime loss to Denmark, but will wear the national jersey again at lunchtime for the first time since the 2017 World Cup. “I feel good, I'm fit and I'm looking forward to finally being able to play again,” said the defender, who, like the rest of his teammates, watched the DEL final on the big screen in the hotel the evening before and was of course very supportive of his brother Yannic was happy about his third title with Munich in a row.
Today's opponent, South Korea, has been the clear underdog in the ice hockey world in recent years. But a lot has developed at the host of the 2018 Olympic Games. Sport is booming in the country, many new ice rinks are being built and the euphoria surrounding the team is greater than ever. The German opponent last tested once in Slovakia and “only” lost there 1:2. “South Korea is difficult to play against, they are difficult to play against, not least because of their naturalized Canadian players. We certainly won’t underestimate them,” said Moritz Müller before the dress rehearsal.
Since the match between the national team and the Asian guests takes place on neutral ground in Denmark, spectators can enjoy free entry to the Odense ice rink. This time Timo Pielmeier will be in goal, his backup is Mathias Niederberger. Bernhard Ebner will also not be able to play. In the last game, the Düsseldorf defender received a teammate's bat right in the face.