The German women’s national team has played its opening match at the 2025 IIHF Ice Hockey Women's World Championship. The team of women's national coach Jeff MacLeod lost to the Swedish team in the Budvar Arena in front of 4.207 spectators with 2:5 (1:0, 1:1, 3:1). Goal scorers for the DEB-Team were Luisa Welcke and Emily Nix.
After a nervous start to the first match of the tournament, in which both teams played at a high tempo but failed to create any clear scoring opportunities, the Swedes created their first dangerous opportunity in the sixth minute. In the first shorthanded game, the DEBThe women played cleverly and then went on the power play themselves. The German team increased the pressure and had good chances. In the eleventh minute, however, the Scandinavians took advantage of a miscommunication behind the German goal and Hanna Thuvik brought their colors into the lead (11th).
Sweden remained strong in the second period and let the DEB-women little room. Consequently, the Swedes were able to extend their lead: In the 29nd minute stand Mira Hall unmarked in front of the German goal and was able to take a rebound that bounced back from the boards in front of the goal and 2:0 Five minutes later, the puck came back after a bully zu Luisa Welcke, which with a direct shot at 2:1 (34th) With the first goal, the confidence of the German players visibly increased, and they subsequently came closer to equalizing.
In the final third, however, the German back line lost its alignment right from the start and overlooked the right side Anna Kjellbin: The Swedish captain used the space and increased without pressure to 3:1 (43th). Only 55 seconds later Sandra slipped Denier a shot from Thea Johansson through the legs. Emily Nix shot in the 51nd minute in the power play 4:2. The final spurt of the DEB-Teams – with six field players – were unsuccessful. Hanna Olsson continued with her Empty-net hit to 5:2 (59th) the end point.
Excellent DEB-player was Katarina Jobst Smith.
Voices about the game
Women's national coach Jeff MacLeod: "We didn't play our best hockey today, and at this level, that's punished. The Swedes were a very strong opponent and had a good structure. We need to work on our forecheck and do the simple things right. That's what we need to work on now. We'll play against Norway on Saturday, and then we want to go all out and earn our first win of this World Championship."
Attacker Laura Kluge: "We made the game difficult for ourselves. Too many turnovers, especially in our own zone, gave the Swedes unnecessary chances. When you're behind early, it's hard to come back. We had too much respect for Sweden. In the end, we found our rhythm again and showed what we're capable of. We have to build on that in the coming games to be successful."