Also the teams currently ranked 16th – 20th are fighting for top places in the WFC 2009 B-division.
Slovakia, Estonia and Italy made it to the WFC through the Qualification, which was played in February in Slovenia. Estonia will play in the Women´s WFC B-division for the first time.
Japan – The Japanese team consists of many newcomers as many of the experienced players have retired from the national team. Nevertheless the Japanese young team´s goal is to fight hard in every match.
The Japanese women won the Asia Pacific Championships 2009 (APAC) where they defeated the 11th ranked Singapore twice.
Yui Takahashi (pictured) is one of the more experienced players. She is only 20 years, but will play in her 3rd World Championships. Takahaski is quite small but a very agile player with a great fighting spirit. In the APAC 2009 Takahashi scored the most points with 11 + 1 in four matches.
Canada – Team Canada´s goal is to challenge the B-division favourites and grab a place in the semis. Canada has several returning players with experience to lead the team in addition to a strong group of talented newcomers.
Alison Quinn (pictured) is one of the more experienced players. She has played the last two years in the Finnish club team, SSV, in the 2nd highest league. Quinn is a reliable defender with more than one offensive trick.
Also the youngest players, the Greogorwich twins Erica (#22) and Pirita (#24) are skilful players with a great eye for the game.
Slovakia won the WFC Qualifications in February and is aiming to improve their placement from the WFC 2007 (19th).
Slovakia will play with a very young team as there are 15 players in the Slovakian team that are born in the 90´s.
Lucia Kosturiakova is one of the young talents. She won the scoring league in the Qualifications with 8 + 5 and plays for the Czech top team Tigers SJM.
Estonia also made it through from the Qualification and will play in the WFC with a young and technical team.
The Estonian goalkeeper, Liina Üksik, is a very important player for the team and at her best can be more than half of the team. In addition she is also very good at opening the game with her good throw.
One of the goal scorers is Kristi Lööper # 10, a skilful goal hunter who is the top scorer in the Estonian League.
Italy defeated Slovenia with one goal in February´s Qualification bronze match, which took the team to the WFC B-division. After the tough Qualification tournament the team has worked on the group feeling and playing system with the aim to get to the B-division semi-finals.
The forward Romina Micheli scored the most points of her team in the Qualifications with 7 + 4 in five matches and also Alessandra Lussu # 3 is a talented forward to look out for.
