U18 Women: Three important points after a convincing performance

U18 Women: Three important points after a convincing performance

 

The German U18 women's national team took an important step towards promotion again in the penultimate game of the World Cup in Radenthein/AUT with a 7:0 (2:0/3:0/2:0) win against Italy.

Both teams started the game with a lot of speed, the German team had the better opportunities. But both Jule Schiefer and Alina Fiedler missed out on promising positions. Then it was Heidi Strompf who reached out from the slot, but her hammer only hit the Plexiglas behind the goal. A short time later it was Ronja Hark with a shot from the blue line who touched down again in front of Martina Fedel in the Italian goal. Xenia Merkle's shot was deflected by an opponent towards her own goal, but she kept track of things. In the seventh minute the first shot at the German goal, but Tatjana Pfeifer had no problems parrying it. In the counterattack, Jule Schiefer brought out the first German superiority. Germany got into the formation straight away, but their shot attempts were still too harmless. In the 10th minute of the game, Thea-Marleen Bartell was in the right place when Annabella Sterzik fought for the target behind the goal, passed in front of the goal, where Bartell took it directly and hit the bottom corner unstoppably to make it 1-0. A good four minutes later that increased DEBteam to 2-0. This time it was Bartell who provided the assist with a shot from the slot. The puck bounced from Fedel onto Lisa Heinz's thigh and from there into the goal. Italy always remained dangerous on the counterattack, but the German defense around Pfeifer cleaned up uncompromisingly in front of their own goal. A minute before the first break, Pfeifer saved from two attackers and secured her team's two-goal lead going into the break. The first change brought several top-class opportunities for the German team. But Pauline Gruchot and twice Sarah Kubiczek either failed because of Fedel or shot at the opponents in front of the goal. A short time later, Jule Schiefer aimed just past the goal. Then Luisa Welcke narrowly missed a cross pass from Schiefer. Just moments later, her sister Lilli did better and scored into the top corner to make it 3-0. The German team was now gaining momentum. Pauline Gruchot and Annabella Sterzik missed opportunities one after the other. On the other hand, Pfeifer was always alert to the Italians' quick counterattacks. Six and a half minutes had been played in the second third when the German team was able to use its power play again. But the Italians defended well and were able to

 

to free yourself again and again. Shortly before the opponent's penalty expired, a German player had to take a seat in the penalty box. But the German team also played their tasks with concentration when they were outnumbered and thus remained without conceding a goal. Another German power play in the 31st minute resulted in several good chances, but the puck didn't want to cross the line. Italy had just returned to full strength when Sarah Kubiczek shot at the goal from outside, Jule Schiefer kept the stick in and the disc slipped through Fedel's guards to make it 4-0. And the German team continued to apply pressure and had several good opportunities. Lilli Welcke took advantage of one of them exactly three minutes after the last goal with a beautiful shot next to the post to make it 5-0 at halftime.

Italy started the final third with furious attacks, but the German defense held firm. In the 42nd minute the German team received a penalty, but the German players managed to establish themselves in the attacking third, even with one player less. And Pauline Gruchot rewarded them DEB-Selection for high use. Coming from outside, she shot at the goal, got the follow-up shot straight back onto her racket and made it 6-0 when she was outnumbered. A little later, Sarah Kubiczek narrowly missed a cross pass from Lisa Heinz. Three minutes later the German team had the next power play chance. The disc came to Sarah Kubiczek, who took a shot and hit the stick of the Italian goalkeeper, who came flying in at the last moment. In the 49th minute of the game, Italy received another penalty. Jule Schiefer hit the crossbar in the ensuing power play. Sarah Kubiczek did better a little later. Ronja Hark laid it out in an exemplary manner and Kubiczek scored through the legs to make it 7-0. The game now became more heated and there were penalties on both sides. Despite a German penalty, no goal would be scored until the final siren and so the German team won 7-0 against Italy in the fourth World Cup game.

 

Norber Weber, U18 women's assistant coach: “Congratulations to the team on their fourth win in their fourth game. The team stuck to the tactical guidelines and game plan and did not allow the Italians, who were strong on the counterattack, to develop. Now all concentration is on tomorrow’s final against Slovakia.”

Germany: Pfeifer (Disl) – Klinger (C), Hark; Leveringhaus, Kubiczek, Christof – Raschke (A), Merkle; Luisa Welcke, Lilli Welcke, Schiefer – Strompf, Cyrulies; Fiedler, Gruchot (A), Miller – Bartell, Sterzik, Heinz

Goals: 1:0 Thea-Marleen Bartell (09:56); 2:0 Lisa Heinz (14:01); 3:0 Lilli Welcke (22:03); 4:0 Jule Schiefer (32:36); 5:0 Lilli Welcke (35:36); 6:0 Pauline Gruchot (42:11/SH1); 7:0 Sarah Kubiczek (50:13/PP1)

Penalty minutes: Germany 12 – Italy 12

 

You can find detailed statistics here:

https://www.iihf.com/en/events/2019/ww18ia/gamecenter/playbyplay/6508/11-ita-vs-ger