After the tough start to the World Cup against Sweden and Finland, the next challenge awaits the national team: on Monday, May 15, 2023 (15:20 p.m. German time), the group's third game will be against the USA. While the DEB-Selection narrowly missed the first World Cup points twice, the world number four managed two wins (4:1 against Finland, 7:1 against Hungary) to start the tournament.
Despite two intense games in the legs, national coach Harold Kreis' team took to the ice in the Practice Rink of the Nokia Arena in Tampere today. There were also several internal team meetings on the agenda to draw lessons from the first two World Cup games and prepare for the duel against the USA. In addition, regeneration and regaining strength were a priority for the national players throughout the day.
Another reinforcement for the team arrived in Tampere this Sunday: Leon Gawanke landed in Helsinki at midday and went straight to the German cabin in Tampere. Whether the defender will intervene directly in the game on Monday will be decided at short notice.
Voices before the game against the USA on Monday:
National coach Harold Kreis: “We want to strengthen the defensive zone a little more so that we don’t give away the good chances from the slot. We want to improve our directness and the traffic in front of the opponent's goal. These strong teams don't make it easy for us to get into a shooting position, but we still want to work on that. Of course we are disappointed that we haven't been able to take any points yet, but we are also very confident because we played really good ice hockey. We were on equal terms with both teams.”
Striker Nico Sturm: “On paper we have the three most difficult tasks first. It's important not to stray from our path now, but to stay true to our game. I have no doubt that we will then achieve the corresponding results and points.”
Defender Leon Hüttl: We're definitely taking a lot of positive things with us into the game against the USA. We saw in the first two World Cup games that we can keep up. In the next game we have to deliver our performance over 60 minutes, always be focused and just play our system. We’re definitely going into the next game positively.”
Defender Leon Gawanke: “If I have the chance to play for Germany, I will take it. The last two World Cups have already been a lot of fun, also because there is a lot of attention at home at a World Cup and we can use it to push ice hockey. I want to help the team with my strengths and I’m going to give it my all.”