The Deutscher Eishockey-Bund (DEB) was informed on Friday about the group allocation for the Olympic Winter Games 2022 in Beijing and can look forward to an exciting task. National coach Toni Söderholm's team is currently placed seventh in the world rankings and is placed in Group A. The DEBThe selection will therefore face the current world number one Canada, the sixth-placed USA and Olympic host China. The world ranking points for the cancelled 2020 World Cup in Switzerland were distributed based on the seeding list planned for the tournament.
The German women's national team under national coach Christian Künast has been declared host of an Olympic qualifying tournament, according to an announcement from the World Ice Hockey Federation IIHF. The basis for this is also the current world rankings, in which the women's team is ranked eighth. The tournament is scheduled to take place from February 11th to 14th, 2021, and the venue is Füssen. The six best teams in the world rankings for women qualify directly for the Olympics.
DEB-Sports Director Stefan Schaidnagel …
... on the group allocation of the men's national team: “We have a strong group to play in Beijing with the two North American teams and the host country. We are convinced that we have every chance. Since Pyeongchang we have known what is possible. Our preparatory measures for the 2022 Olympics have already begun and we will appear very well prepared in China.”
... for the women's qualifying tournament: “Our women have every opportunity to qualify for the 2022 Olympics in Beijing. We have been preparing meticulously for a successful qualification for over a year. We are looking forward to the home tournament to play in our own country with ours Fans and a very good performance to make the qualification clear.”
Men’s national coach Toni Söderholm: “I find host China very interesting as an opponent; for the North Americans, a lot depends on the participation of the NHL. It's difficult to assess at the moment, we have to wait and see what the situation is. All we know is that the players want to come. We've been planning for the Olympics since March. Knowing the group is now very motivating.”
Women’s national coach Christian Künast: “It's a good opportunity for us and we certainly have a small home advantage, but of course the games have to be played first. The tasks are difficult, but solvable and if you want to go to the Olympics, you just have to assert yourself there.”