After a nerve-racking encounter, the German women's national team won their last World Cup game 3-2 against the hosts from Denmark and thus secured relegation in the top division. National players Franziska Feldmeier (9th), Laura Kluge (56th) and Tanja Eisenschmid (60th) scored the goals for the win. The latter was also named the best German player of the game with her goal 0,1 seconds before the end of the game.
The last group game DEB-Selection really shouldn't be an easy one. The team led by women's national coach Thomas Schädler met the Danes in the Iscenter Nord on Tuesday evening. There was a lot at stake for both teams. Germany needed three points to secure relegation. For Denmark, however, there was still a chance of reaching the quarter-finals.
The hosts got off to a better start in this very running game. Already in the 5th minute of the game, it was Josefine Persson who gave Denmark the lead for the first time with a skillful move from the neutral zone. But it didn't take long for Germany to score again. Four minutes later, Franziska Feldmeier (9th) deflected the disc in front of the Danish goal and scored the first goal for them in the power play DEB-Selection.
In the middle section, the German team was clearly more powerful and the game also picked up speed. Both teams fought to gain every inch of space and created many chances. Denmark secured the second goal on the scoreboard. Emma Russell (29th) managed to get the puck behind Sandra Abstreiter's goal line, who had no clear view in this situation.
At the beginning of the last third they started DEB-Women outnumbered. Nicola Eisenschmid had to sit on the bench for two minutes due to an unfortunate penalty. Nevertheless, the German selection managed to repeatedly bring the target dangerously in front of the opponent's goal and also to dominate the game a little more in this game. In the 56th minute it was German striker Laura Kluge who scored the much-needed equalizer. With one more skater on the ice and the empty net, the German women's national team gave it their all again in the final minutes. With an incredible 0,1 seconds left, the goal siren went off again. Tanja Eisenschmid made the German bench cheer and secured the team victory and relegation in the top division.
DEB-President Dr. Peter Merten: “Absolute dominance in the final third with 25 to 1 shots on goal and thus securing relegation at the last second. Compliments to the team, who always believed in themselves and to the coaches and staff who provided absolutely great support. The whole team is sensational and a wonderful starting point for our future in women’s ice hockey.”
DEB-Sports director Christian Künast: “Everyone believed in victory until the end. It was a truly incredible display of energy, especially in that final third. We have therefore achieved the minimum goal of staying in the league. Now it’s time to work solidly and continue the change.”
Women’s national coach Thomas Schädler: "Incredible. I have never experienced a game like this in my coaching career. What was important in the second third break was believing in ourselves. This belief can move mountains. The girls put incredible pressure on in the final third. Of course the start was tense. But we didn't have to make it so exciting until shortly before the end. Nevertheless, we never gave up and that was the important thing. On the other hand, we also have to say that we didn't reach the goal of the quarter-finals. At this moment, the joy that prevails is that we will continue to be in the top division next year.”
Defense attorney Tanja Eisenschmid: “We knew that we had to go into this game hard and not let a minute slip. We went into the final third with a 1-2 deficit but never gave up. In the end we made it really exciting with the goal so few seconds before the end. But we did it and are of course incredibly proud now.”