The German men's national team played their first game at the Deutschland Cup Germany won the 2025 World Cup at the VR-Bank Arena in Landshut. The team, coached by Harold Kreis, defeated Latvia 4-1 (2-1, 0-0, 2-0). Goal scorers for the DEBThe selection included Dominik Kahun, Yasin Ehliz, Phillip Sinn and Marc Michaelis.
The DEBThe selection started with Mathias Niederberger in goal, defender Moritz Müller led the German team onto the ice as captain.
The initial probing phase between the two teams didn't last long, as after about six minutes the 2.107 Fans Two goals have already been seen at the VR-Bank Arena. Deniss Smirnovs capitalized on a German turnover in the neutral zone, launching a counterattack which the Latvian finished off to give his team a 1-0 lead (6th minute). Just 34 seconds later, Kahun took advantage of a persistent forecheck by his teammates and tied the game (7th minute). Five minutes later, Ehliz put Germany ahead 2-1. Two penalties against the DEBThe team's power plays and the associated scoring opportunities allowed the visitors to go scoreless.
The game picked up pace in the second period. The Latvians played more offensively than in the first. However, the German team defended well and created extended periods of pressure on the visitors' goal. Latvia's goalie, Ivars Punnenovs, thwarted all of the Latvians' scoring attempts. DEB-Teams. Despite some impressive plays, neither side managed to secure a victory, so the teams went into the locker room with a narrow 2-1 lead.
The final section began for the DEBThe Latvian team was shorthanded. Latvia missed another chance to equalize. Harold Kreis's team fared better shortly afterward. On the power play, Phillip Sinn finished off a clever move with his first international goal to make it 3-1 (44th minute). Sinn was then sent to the penalty box. The visitors remained largely ineffective on their fourth power play as well. With just under three minutes remaining, Michaelis scored into the empty net to seal the 4-1 victory (58th minute). The Latvian team celebrated a win. DEB-Team earned a well-deserved victory to kick off this year's Deutschland Cup.
Best DEB-Player was Mathias Niederberger.