Slovakia and Sweden were victorious during the first day of Men´s WFC 2018 Qualifications in Nitra, Slovakia.
Efficient third period secures Slovakia´s victory
The home team Slovakia was the favourite in the match against Slovenia when looking at the rankings. Slovakia is currently ranked 10th and Slovenia 24th. Slovenia surprised in the first period with some rather skilled individual players such as team captain #90 Luka Casar. Slovenia also held a tight defence and after 20 minutes Slovakia were in a 1-0 lead.
In the second period Slovakia kept trying to break the Slovenian defence by beautifully moving the ball around. But Slovenia wouldn’t budge. When Slovakia finally scored a goal, Slovenia repeated the trick. At the end of the second period, Slovakia were in a 3-1 lead.
The third period decided the match. Slovakia kept the high pace, but Slovenia stumbled from time to time which allowed Slovakia to take a 5-1 lead. Slovenia decreased the score on penalty shot and got back in the game, but it wasn’t enough. Slovakia’s #97 Martin Joscak sealed the deal with 18 seconds left on the clock and Slovakia won the entertaining and energetic match 7-2.
Sweden dominate against France
The match between France and Sweden was scripted beforehand. It would be hard for France (ranked 28th) to keep the floorball giant Sweden (ranked 2nd) from scoring. From the very beginning Sweden had total ball control, yet it took them more than 5 minutes to score their opening goal. From that on, the floodgates were open. During the first period France also scored their opening goal on powerplay. The joy of the team and the fans was delightful.
Sweden were already in a 11-1 lead as the second period started and The World Games 2017 champions didn’t stop there. It was goal after goal after goal and before the period ended, each Swedish player (excluding the goalkeeper and the ones who were benched) had earned themselves a point.
Sweden’s superiority secured them their victory. France simply couldn’t keep up with Sweden’s skilful and fast play and Sweden showed no mercy. In the end, Sweden won the match against France 43-1.
