The Swiss team took the 2nd row of Czech Hockey Game (the Czech stage of Euro Hockey Tour), its last friendly tournament before participating in the world championship, from May 9 to 25 in Sweden and Denmark. After a defeat Thursday in Kloten against Sweden (1-2) and a clear victory 8-2 on Saturday against Finland in Brno (Czech Republic), the Nati beat the Czech Republic on Sunday, still in Brno (3-5).
In front of its audience, the Czech Republic took advantage of Swiss indiscipline to take the lead. A subtle deviation from Ondrej Kovarcik gave the advantage to the defending world champions, on their first power play of the meeting (4th, 1-0). In front of a Stéphane Charlin, several times decisive in his cage, the Swiss have gradually taken the game on their own, to lead 2-3 at the end of the 2nd third.
During this highlight, two players highlighted: the defender Thurgovien Dominik Egli (two goals, including a blue line missile on the 1-3) and the Zurich striker of Davos Simon Knak (a goal, an assist and a big physical presence). In the absence of the Hofmann-Jäger-Bertschy triplet, left at rest, the Moy-Sperteler-Knak trio released the game before the announcement of the final contingent, which should take place at the start of next week.
During the last third, these same three men United their efforts to score the goal of the station wagon, after a good collective action concluded by Moy (46th, 2-4). A Dario Rohrbach’s wrist shot in the skylight has definitively validated the success of the Swiss (51st, 2-5). Enough to fill up on confidence before the World Cup, despite the goal scored by Flek, after a completely failed recovery from Charlin (58th, 3-5).
Pending possible NHL reinforcements, Switzerland thus concludes its preparation with a toll of seven victories in nine friendly games disputed in April and May. Silver medalist last year at the World Cup in Prague (2-0 defeat in the final against the Czech Republic), the Nati will begin the 2025 edition of the world championship against this same Czech Republic, Friday May 9 at 4:20 p.m. in Herning (Dan).
As a reminder, the sixteen nations participating in the World Cup are divided into two groups of eight. Each team plays seven matches in the qualifying phase, and the first four are qualified for the quarter -finals.
Czech Republic-Switzerland 3-5 (1-1 1-2 1-2)
Winning Group Arena, Brno. 4753 spectateurs.
Referees: Folkstrand (Suè), Wedin (SUè).
Buts: 4E O. Kovarcik (Kondelik, Spacek / 5c4), 12e Egli (Moy, Knak) 1-1, 22e Knak (Fora) 1-2, 31e Egli (Bächler, Schmid) 1-3, 33e M. Kovarcik (O. Kovarchik, Pyrochta / 5c4), 46e Moy (Senteler, Knak), 51e Rohrbach) (Bächler) 2-5, 58e Flek (4C5) 3-5.
Czech Republic: Vejmelka; Spacek, Creator; Pyrochta, Hajek; Costalic, Tichacek; Gazda, Kurerik; Sleep, Codyth, Lenc; Reichel, M. Kovarcik, O. Kovarcik; Clapka, Condelics, Vozonylic; Flech, Climate, Zadina. Introduction: Rulik’s Radio.
Suisse: Charlin; Glauser, Kukan; Karrer, Berni; Fora, Marti; Egli, Jung; Riat, Malgin, Andrighetto; Rohrbach, Bächler, Schmid; Moy, Senteler, Knak; Ambühl, Walser, Ritzmann. Entraîneur: Patrick Fischer.
Penalties: 6×2 ‘against the two teams
World Championship. Switzerland program. All matches in Herning (Dan).
Friday May 9 at 4:20 p.m.: Switzerland – Czech Republic.
Saturday May 10 at 8:20 p.m.: Denmark – Switzerland.
Monday, May 12 at 4:20 p.m.: United States – Switzerland.
Thursday, May 15 at 4:20 p.m.: Switzerland – Germany.
Friday May 16 at 8:20 p.m.: Switzerland – Norway.
Sunday, May 18 at 8:20 p.m.: Hungary – Switzerland.
Tuesday, May 20 at 12:20 p.m.: Switzerland – Kazakhstan.
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