16 teams will play in the 12th Men’s World Floorball Championships in Prague. The teams are divided into four groups and Australia, Estonia, Poland and Thailand will play in the Group C.
In the group stage each team faces each other once, while the second stage of the event includes play-offs and placement matches. The two best teams of group A and B go directly to the quarter-finals. Teams placed 3rd and 4th in group A and B and the teams placed 1st and 2nd in group C and D make it to the first playoff round (played before the quarter-finals).
TEAM PRESENTATIONS – GROUP C
Australia has a good blend of youth and experienced players with almost half the team being 21 years of age or younger demonstrating the strength of their junior development programme. This is arguably the strongest team they have ever fielded and they expect to surprise more than one competitor. Currently ranked 13th in the world, their secondary goal is to improve on that ranking and possibly break into the top 10. The primary goal is of course to win the World Floorball Championships!
Players to watch:
Carl Hammarlund
Carl is the Australian team captain and first picked up a floorball stick as a youngster in Sweden and it was not long before he gave soccer the boot and took up floorball. Supremely fit and very skilled Carl leads the team by example. An uncompromising defender, Carl is gifted with just the right balance between Swedish flair and Australian tenacity. When the going gets tough expect Carl to be in the thick of it!
The “Twins” Tomas Gartner and Daniel Gartner
Double trouble when the twins step onto the court with their twins’ intuition. Representing the future of Men’s Floorball in Australia we expect Tomas and Daniel to be crowd favourites with their Czech heritage not to mention their superb stick skills and game awareness. Expect the unexpected from these two extra ordinarily gifted floorballers!
Jonathon Veron
With 62 international caps including 55 goals and 48 assists and an international career spanning 12 years, Jonathon is undoubtedly the fittest, fastest and most experienced player in the team. With his vast experience, agility and vision expect Jonathon to be involved in either scoring goals or making the plays for other to score around him.
Team Estonia has a good mix of experience and youthful zeal. Players are motivated and aspire to improve the result from last WFC. The team has a very good team spirit and atmosphere.
Players to watch:
Victor Öberg
Team’s leading defensive player who has experience from SSL. He has an attitude to always give the maximum, combined with good game reading skills.
Talented game changer, a real artist on the floorball field.
Oskar Salm
Very good technical skills. A player with a strong willpower and an exemplary two-way player.
POLAND
Poland has a young and hungry team. They want to give their best in each game and win every match they play.
Players to watch:
Michał Sieńko
Top scorer in the Polish league. One of the leaders in the Polish national team for many years.
Maciej Bogdański
The best Polish player during the WFC Qualifications in Tallinn, Estonia. Very experienced goalkeeper. He has played over 50 matches in the national team.
Karol Pelczarski
One of the most talented players of the young generation. He is very fast and he has a precise shot.
Team Thailand comes from a country with young floorball history but their passion for floorball is strong. A mix of European and Thailand-based players, the unified team is motivated by challenges, and they strive to do their best to further improve with every opportunity on the world stage.
Players to watch:
Alexander Rinefalk
A forward with speed and good potential. His experience from playing in the top Swedish league allows him to adapt and read the game well.
Verasak Pimpa
A player with great potential for the game. He excels with speed and drives for improvement, proving a great strength for the team.
Chusak Narkprasert
Strong game keeper, mentally and physically. He has good routine and encourages the team very well.
More team presentations will be published shortly!
