Korbinian Holzer has ticked off the opening match / Marco Sturm: “Not so dissatisfied with the performance of the new team” / Leon Draisaitl: “You have to praise your opponent sometimes”
Wipe your mouth, carry on. One day after the 2:3 after a penalty shootout against the hosts, the mood at the national team's lunchtime training session was a little more relaxed. Of course: In the dressing room, the players discussed various scenes from the previous evening and talked about what could be done better. The trainers were already one step further. Marco Sturm and his colleagues met that night to study the video.
It is understandable that one can rarely be satisfied with a defeat. The German selection was no different. However, they also took the positives from the first encounter. The national coach summed it up afterwards: "Of course we would have liked to win. Nevertheless, I am quite satisfied with my team's performance. We must not forget that we have a new team here that has to get used to the conditions of a World Cup. The new players in particular did a good job."
Korbinian Holzer saw it similarly. The Anaheim Ducks defender analyzed: "In the first period, both teams neutralized each other. In the second period, it was more difficult for us because of the penalties. But we were able to step it up a notch in the last third and create chances." Sturm confirmed: "After the 2:2, we had a phase in which we could have decided the match."
But that wasn't the case. As always at an international tournament, the devil was in the details. "It was only the little things that made the difference in this match. But that's exactly what we need to work on." Defender Holzer didn't want to attach too much importance to the Denmark game. "We have to put it behind us now. The good thing about a tournament is that it continues straight away. We're just looking forward."
And Leon Draisaitl? The German NHL star was of course in the spotlight and showed that he is the linchpin of the national team. Strong in one-on-one duels, with a perfect eye for his teammates and a goal threat, the striker posed a threat in almost all situations. One goal and one assist in two goals are proof of that. Although Draisaitl also narrowly missed other chances that he created himself. "You have to praise the opponent sometimes. The Danes played well today," noted the 22-year-old striker. "They were a bit better in two thirds, but we took control in the last period. We want to build on that in the next games."