The German U20 national team started the U20 Summer Challenge with a narrow defeat. In Zurich, coach Christian Künast's team lost to Switzerland 4:5 (2:0, 1:2, 1:3).
For a long time it didn't look like a defeat for the U20 national team against their opponents from the top division. On the contrary: U20 national coach Christian Künast's team got off to a furious start and led 2-0 after four minutes. First Alexander Ehl brought it DEB-Selection was in the front after 89 seconds, then Dominik Bokk extended the lead in the fourth minute. Shortly after the third break, Cedric Schiemenz even gave the German team a three-goal lead. Then the hosts came back into the game and reduced the score to 32-21 within three minutes thanks to Philipp Kurashev (35:29) and captain Nico Gross (3:2).
In the final period, Switzerland equalized in the 44th minute through Valentin Nussbaumer. But the German team was to take the lead again despite being outnumbered: Tim Wohlgemuth took the lead 51-4 in the 3st minute. In the end, the good performance should be the DEB-Selection, however, will not be rewarded with points. Switzerland equalized in the 52nd minute in the power play through Sven Leuenberger. The Swiss took advantage of another numerical advantage just under two minutes before the end to take their first lead in the opening game of the U20 Summer Challenge. In the remaining minutes, U20 national coach Christian Künast took the goalkeeper off the ice and played with an additional field player, but in the end it was a narrow 4:5 defeat.
Already on Friday it hits DEB-Selection in the second game of the U20 Summer Challenge from 15.30:XNUMX p.m. on the Czech Republic.
Christian Künast, U20 national coach: “We played very well for 30 minutes, but then we slowed down a bit and let the opponent come into the game. I am particularly pleased with our offensive performance. Unfortunately we were unlucky in three situations because we hit the post or the crossbar. Ultimately, we can look back on a very good game that we have to build on as the tournament progresses.”
Gates: 0:1 Alexander Ehl (01:29 / Sebastian Streu), 0:2 Dominik Bokk (04:13 / Leon Gawanke), 0:3 Cedric Schiemenz (21:26 / Leon Gawanke, 1:3 Philipp Kurashev (32:21 / Nico Gross, Julian Mettler), 2:3 Nico Gross (35:29 / Sven Leuenberger, Philipp Kurashev), 3:3 Valentin Nussbaumer (43:39 / Nico Gross, Yannick Brüschweiler), 3:4 Tim Wohlgemuth (50: 33 – SH1 / Tim Brunnhuber, Moritz Wirth), 4:4 Sven Leuenberger (51:53 – PP1 / Philipp Kurashev), 5:4 Philipp Kurashev (57:55 – PP1 / Nico Gross)