- The Swiss national floorball team surprisingly defeats vice world champion Finland 7:5 in the second World Cup group game.
- The national team is reacting to the false start against Norway at the home World Cup.
- For the hosts it is the first victory at a World Cup against Finland in 18 years.
The Swiss national floorball team was already challenged after the first group game at the home World Cup. Against Norway, the favored Swiss only managed a 4:4 draw instead of the planned 3 points – a setback at the start for coach David Jansson’s team.
The task for Switzerland on Sunday was no easier – with Finland, the four-time world champion was waiting for the host. But the Nati didn’t let themselves be put off by the Norway game and started the game surprisingly courageously – and successfully.
- 3rd minute: The 3rd block plays well through the Finnish defense. Claudio Laely finds Tobias Heller, who hits the backhand from the turn to make it 1-0.
- 9 minutes: After a long pass from Patrick Mendelin, Manuel Maurer is alone in front of the goal and increases the score
- 11 minutes: 118 seconds after the 2nd goal, Mendelin made it 3-0.
The Swiss starter furioso was followed by a strong phase for the Finns, in which the Scandinavians were able to reduce the score to 2:3 by the break in the first third. After the change of sides, the Finns looked for an equalizer, but Noël Seiler scored a little against the course of the game to make it 4:2. The young GC forward came from the penalty box and gave the Finnish goalkeeper Lassi Toriseva no chance in the 1v1.
Jan Zaugg answered the Finns’ new goal before the second break with the 5:3. The floorball striker Köniz caught Toriseva on the near post and brought the stadium in Zurich to a boil with over 10,000 spectators.
In the final third, the four-time world champion threw everything forward again, Switzerland concentrated on the defensive. Nevertheless, it was the home team that was able to celebrate the next goal. Maurer increased to 6:3. The teams then took turns scoring goals: First Sami Johansson reduced the lead to 4:6 (54′), a few seconds later Michael Schiess scored an empty goal before Justus Kainulainen let the Finns celebrate the goal again (56′). .
Switzerland back in the race for group victory
But the Scandinavians didn’t have enough more, whipped up by the outstanding audience, Switzerland brought the lead over time. Thanks to this victory, the national team has a good chance of winning the valuable group. Switzerland will play Slovakia in the final group game on Tuesday. If she lives up to her role as favourite, she will advance to the quarter-finals as group winner and could probably only meet defending champions Sweden in the final.
Latvia has no chance against Sweden
The big favorite for the world championship title did not show any weakness on the 2nd matchday. After beating Germany 19:4 on Saturday, Sweden also asserted themselves on Sunday. The Scandinavians won 11-2 against Latvia. With 5 goals, the Swedes made the difference, especially in the middle third.