DAY 4: Group Stage Culminating, Czech Republic to Face Switzerland – 04.12.2018

The fourth day of the World Championship is the last match day in the group stage and it will definitely determine how all the teams will be seeded into the next phase of the tournament. The highlight of today’s program will be the evening match between the Czech Republic and Switzerland, but other games will be interesting too as all teams still have something to play for.

The rich Tuesday’s schedule will be started by the morning duel between Thailand and Australia at the O2 Arena. Following their loss against Estonia and win over Poland, the Australians currently sit on the second place in the group and have the advancement to the elimination stage in their own hands. Thailand lost its games against both Poland and Estonia and is currently on the 4th position. However, their potential win might still dramatize the situation in the group. Both teams met in the final placement game at the world championship two years ago and Thailand won narrowly 4-3.

The second match of the day will be between Slovakia and Singapore, also at the O2 Arena. Slovakia has been flawless so far in group D. They scored a total of 27 goals against Canada and Japan, lead their group and have already secured their spot in the next stage. Also Singapore on the second position is very close to the elimination phase after beating Japan and drawing with Canada. To secure their spot in the play-offs irrespective of Canada’s result they need at least one more point. Last time the teams met at the world championship six years ago and Slovakia won 13-2.

The afternoon match at the Arena Sparta will feature Japan and Canada. The Japanese lost both their matches at the tournament, against Slovakia and Singapore, and from the fourth place in group D they can’t qualify to the elimination stage anymore. On the other hand, Canada, currently sitting in third, who drew with Singapore following the high loss against Slovakia, still has a theoretical chance to make it through. The Canadians are two points back, so they need to win. However, they don’t have the situation in their own hands and even victory might not be enough. Six years ago, when the two teams met at the world championship last time, Canada won 6-2.

In the third match at the O2 Arena and fourth overall for the day, the fans will watch a direct battle for the quarterfinals. The Finns now hold the second place in group B after losing narrowly against Sweden and beating Denmark and against Norway they will be favorites. The Norwegians are third in the group after defeating Denmark and losing to Sweden, but they have two points, just like Finland. If they win, they will move ahead of their opponents and qualify among the top eight teams. The last time both teams met at the world championship was four years ago and Finland won 6-1.

In group B, Sweden will face Denmark in the second of the two Tuesday’s games at the Arena Sparta. Sweden started the tournament by overcoming the reigning world champions from Finland and yesterday they defeated Norway. That’s why Sweden now leads the group with a secured spot in the quarterfinals. On the other hand, the Danes were outclassed both by Norway and Finland and cannot reach the first two positions anymore. Their last head-to-head world championship match dates back to twelve years ago, when Sweden won clearly 11-1.

The Tuesday’s program will be closed by the clash between the home team and Switzerland at the O2 Arena. Thanks to other results in group A the Czechs have a secured spot in the quarterfinals, but they have been rather struggling in the rink so far. After overcoming Germany with difficulties they suffered a narrow loss against Latvia, so their last match in the group stage will be also about gaining some self-confidence. On the contrary, the Swiss players confirmed in their first two matches that they are one of the favorites. After defeating Latvia they thrashed Germany and deservedly lead group A. The last time the Czech Republic faced Switzerland at the world championship was in the bronze-medal game two years ago and Switzerland won 8-5.

 

World Floorball Championship – 4th December:

Thailand – Australia 10:00, O2 Arena

Slovakia – Singapore 12:45, O2 Arena

Japan – Canada 14:30, Arena Sparta

Norway – Finland 16:45 O2 Arena

Sweden – Denmark 17:15, Arena Sparta

Czech Republic – Switzerland 19:30, O2 Arena