World M20 hockey: Objective quarter-finals, or even more if you have an affinity for Switzerland

Switzerland presents itself at the U20 World Cup, which begins on December 26 in Ottawa, with a promising team. But we will have to exploit the potential on the ice.

For the second time in a row, Marcel Jenni leads the team. A year ago, Switzerland missed its first semi-final since 2019. Jenni's team lost 3-2 in the quarter-finals against Sweden.

The squad looks promising. No less than 16 of the players called up for preparation skated this season in the National League. The “star” of the selection is Jamiro Reber, who plays in the SHL with HV71 and who scored 14 points in 25 games. Marcel Jenni evokes greater versatility in his contingent and therefore several options.

Like every year, the minimum objective is to reach the quarter-finals. The Swiss are in group B and will face Czechia (Thursday), Slovakia (Friday), Sweden (Sunday) and Kazakhstan (Tuesday) in turn. They will have to at least take 4th place in the group and therefore probably do better than Kazakhstan.

The Czechs are big and strong and they remain in 3rd place last year. The Slovaks are a little less strong, but their training is still quality. As for Sweden, it is still one of the favorites.

Jenni expects from her players an identity close to that of the A team with team spirit as a cardinal value. To replace Tommy Albelin, assistant to the New York Islanders in the NHL, it is the Swede Rikard Franzen, assistant to Jan Cadieux in Geneva, who will help the former Kloten striker.

And on Christmas Day, coach Patrick Fischer and mental coach Stefan Schwitter will join the team. Schwitter will work on concentration and being vigilant. “All mental preparation is of paramount importance,” emphasizes Jenni. Nothing should be left to chance.