Day 1 of the 2016 U19 Women´s World Floorball Championships saw records fall, three new teams debut, some big wins for the favourites as well as some tighter than expected matches.

With a sell-out crowd the record books were already set to be rewritten before Canada & Japan even took to the court for the first match of the event. 3,151 spectators made for an amazing start, creating a great atmosphere and a LOT of noise. Japan, despite only arriving in Belleville late last night, managed to play a great game and really challenged the Canadians. However, the home team rode the wave of support of the crowd and came from behind to secure victory – an important step for them on their quest for B-division gold.

For a team making their debut at this level, Japan played a great game and showed a team full of great potential. Thailand were another new team playing for the first time at the U19 women´s level and they did not prove as strong an opponent in their match against Germany, going down 15-1. Thailand only came onto the international scene last year when their men´s & women´s teams competed at the South East Asian Games. Their men qualified for the WFC to be held in Latvia in December 2016 – a meteoric rise to the top level. For the U19 women this is not just their first event but for many of them their first real floorball games, so they are here for the experience and to learn.

USA, the final debutant team at U19 WFC, are also on the experience fast-track, having played just two previous internationals, in a tournament against Canada late last year. Strengthened by some experienced players from overseas they won a tight game against Austria.

The defending champions and silver medallists from the 2014 U19 WFC both showed why they are the favourites at this event. Sweden outscored Norway 15-0, while Finland piled on the goals against Latvia to record their second highest ever score (for WU19) with 21-1.  

Apart from the thrilling opening game, the matches between Switzerland & Slovakia and Czech Republic & Poland were the matches of the day. Slovakia have great depth in their team, with many players having been part of the Women´s team at the last WFC or playing in the top leagues in Slovakia & Czech Republic. Despite this experience, the Swiss came out as winners with a strong final period where they outscored Slovakia 3-0.

The best match was saved to last when Poland made a dramatic last seconds goal to draw their match with Czech Republic. Czech Republic were always in the lead in this game, but only ever by as much as two goals, and Poland continually drew back even with them at some time in every period. When the Czechs scored from a powerplay at 59:11 it seemed they would just scrape through for a win, but Poland took their keeper off and with 6 v 5 they scored the equaliser.

For full stories on all of the matches visit the official event website: www.floorball2016.ca

Photos from all of the matches can be found on IFF Flickr 

 Full replays of matches can be watched on either IFF YouTube Channel 1 or Channel 2

Photos: Joe Belanger / Aaron Bell / Greg Pinchin

 

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