The men's national team has the opening game of the 2024 IIHF Won the World Cup in the Czech Republic. In the sold out Ostrava Arena was the team of national coach Harold Kreis in front of 9.400 Fans successful with 6:4 against Slovakia. The opened in a physical game DEBselection in the second period and found answers in the decisive moments to avoid losing the game. Against a strong Slovakian team with eight NHL players, the German team with Lukas Calves, Tobias Fohrler and Tobias Eder three World Cup newcomers.
After almost 30 seconds, they didn't miss much of the first goal DEB-Selection. In the crowd, a deflected shot from Frederik fell Tiffels behind goalie Stanislav Skorvanek, but the puck stopped just in front of the line and the Slovaks saved at the last second. The German team had their next big chance in the sixth minute: JJ Peter shifted the game in the attacking third with a pass to the other side, where World Cup debutant Lukas Calves hit the post with a direct shot. The Slovaks also got into the game better and were through after around ten minutes of play Matus Sukel at their best opportunity yet. Philip Grubauer, which today in DEBgoal was preferred, he directed the shot with the Fanglove decisively misses the goal. Shortly before the break Hudaceks Shot from outside deflected twice and landed on the post DEB-Tors. It went into the first break goalless.
In the second half of the game the bell rang a total of five times. At first it was the Germans who were allowed to cheer. In twice the majority, after Matus Sukel and Peter Ceresnak - the latter even had to go to the penalty box for four minutes because of a high stick - almost at the same time, Dominik converted direction a rebound to give Germany a 1-0 lead (30th minute of the game). Since the Slovaks used a coach's challenge to obtain video evidence that the German goal was not canceled, this was possible DEB-Team then continue to act with 5-on-3. Just under two minutes later, Jonas Müller scored from the half-high position with a precise wrist shot into the top corner to make it 2-0 (33'). After the penalties, the Slovaks managed to significantly increase the pressure on the German defense again. Philip Grubauer was initially able to excel several times, but then got the shot from Marek Hrivik unfortunate hit on the shoulder, from where the disc fell into the goal (37th). Slovakia continued to push for the equalizer and was through Martin in the 39th minute Fehervary successful. Anyone who thought that this 2:2 would be the score at half time was wrong: Lukas Calves took advantage of a failed liberation by the Slovaks and scored their first international goal to give Germany the lead again (40th).
After the break, the Slovaks came out of the locker room with momentum and forced mistakes in the German game. But that DEBThe team defended very well and was finally able to free themselves from the clutches. In this pressure phase Yasin came Ehliz stumbled during a counterattack and fell. Leo Pföderl However, he was there and grabbed the disc, threw it at the goal and Marc Michaelis converted the rebound to take another two-goal lead (45th). Shortly afterwards Freddie prevented Tiffels The Slovaks had a chance to score with a hook and had to go to the penalty box. With the advantage, the Slovaks created further chances, but were again denied by Philipp Grubauer. NHL star brought in the 55th minute Juraj Slafkovsky pick up the puck Grubauer, Libor was waiting at the far post Hudacek and used the rebound to make it 3:4. The DEB-Selection found an answer to the goal shortly afterwards: Leo Pföderl, who made two assists today, was able to register himself as a goalscorer with the 5:3 in the 57th minute. Tobias Eder made the preliminary decision with his first World Cup goal when the Slovaks had pulled their goalkeeper for a sixth field player. The fourth goal for Slovakia 15 seconds before the end was just a correction of the result.
That was with just 22 shots on goal and six goals DEB-Team extremely efficient at the start of the World Cup. On the other side, Philipp had to Grubauer He parried 38 shots and was accordingly voted player of the game.
Already tomorrow, Saturday, is available for the DEB-Select the next World Cup game. The opponents are the USA, the game starts at 20:20 p.m.
National coach Harold Kreis: “The game today was really up and down, but I think the team found its way into the World Cup tournament very well. Overall, it was a very fast-paced game in which both teams repeatedly seized the momentum. We came back well after conceding goals and in return took our chances at the right times. The Slovaks had good chances to score, which gives us homework for the coming games and insights into what we still need to work on.”
Captain Moritz Müller: "We always say that we look at each game. But of course it is also extremely important to start the tournament well and that is what we did today. There are certainly still little things that we can do better in the coming games. We played against strong Slovakians today and showed nerves of steel in all parts of the game. We had a good start to the game and always had an answer to the Slovakian goals. Overall it was a very solid team performance."
Defender Lukas Kälble: “Of course I'm happy about my goal, but the important thing was that we didn't let ourselves get down today and always believed in ourselves. I think in the end we deserved to win. A win at the start of the World Cup is extremely important. We decided before the game that we wanted to put in a solid performance that we could build on. Now the result is still right, that's even better. We can now carry this momentum into the next games.”