Now tackle the next, clearly more difficult task
Leo Braillard (No. 5) and Tim Bünzli (No. 7).
Imago/Bildbyran
The Swiss were very happy after the 3-1 win against Kazakhstan for their first win at the ongoing U20 World Cup in Ottawa, Canada. Coach Marcel Jenni’s team barely qualified for the knockout phase thanks to the well-deserved (35:12 shots on goal) victory. “We’re happy for a moment, but we’re not done yet,” said 1-0 goalscorer Simon Meier after the game.
“It’s going to be incredible”
The Swiss were able to take a breather for a day, but now a Herculean task awaits them – or a highlight, to put it more optimistically. “It will be incredible to play a quarter-final against such a nation in this stadium,” said Robin Antenen, the game-winning scorer against Kazakhstan.
By “stadium” we mean the Canadian Tire Center in Ottawa, home of the Ottawa Senators with space for almost 20,000 fans. By “nation” we mean none other than the defending champions. Switzerland will face the USA on Thursday (from 8:30 p.m. CET).
-USA with self-confidence
During USA group games, the Canadian Tire Center was always filled with at least 13,000 fans. The last game against arch-rivals and hosts Canada was, unsurprisingly, virtually sold out.
The majority of the 18,935 spectators probably went home disappointed. The Canadians lost 1:4 in a heated game with a total of 36 penalty minutes. After Canada’s equalizer with the advantage (42nd), the Americans added two more times in the power play (45th/54th), the final point came via Empty-Netter.
Black series
This meant that the USA, peppered with college and university players, returned to winning ways. Because the team of head coach David Carle, who had already been on the boards for the 2024 World Cup title in Gothenburg, was not untouchable in the preliminary round despite winning the group. The result against Finland was 3:4 after extra time.
Nevertheless, it will probably be impossible for the Swiss against the overwhelming favorites. A look at the past reveals this: the U20 national team has never won against the USA. At a World Cup it was only eight years ago to the day that we came close to a surprise. Led by Nico Hischier and Jonas Siegenthaler, the Swiss narrowly lost 2:3.
The last three comparisons at a World Cup read brutally: 1:7, 1:5 and 3:11 a year ago. In the lack of chances there may be the chance to at least surprise something and sell yourself dearly.
Related News :