16 Teams will play in the 12th Men´s World Floorball Championships in Prague. The teams are divided into four groups and Canada, Slovakia, Singapore and Japan will play in Group D.
In the group stage each 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 D
The team hopes to break the top 10 and to continue to expose Canadians of all ages to the sport of floorball. Team Canada aims to grow the sport at home in order to keep competing on the world stage.
Players to watch:
Valtteri Viitakoski
Val is the team’s top player and has been playing in Finland for Nokia Krp.
Taylor Shipp
A team veteran, Shipp is also the top goalkeeper in Canada and put on a solid performance to help the team qualify for WFC 2018.
Adrien Matthews
A rookie on the team, Adrien will make good use of his high velocity shots from the defense position.
SLOVAKIA
Team Slovakia is a mixture of experienced players and young talents. Slovakia has been a part of three World Floorball Championships in a row and the main goal is to finish in the top 8 in Prague. Every player wants to move Slovakia higher in the ranking.
Players to watch:
Rastislav Mazak
Excellent goalkeeper, one of the many players from the Czech league. He has quick reflexes and great mobility.
Lukas Rezanina
The oldest player and team captain. He has a lot of experience from the Slovak, Czech and Swedish leagues.
Michal Dudovic
Young and talented player. During WFC 2016 in Riga he was in top 10 scoring leaders. His shots are accurate and he is an expert in penalty shots.
SINGAPORE
Singapore will be looking to improve their performance from the recent WFCQ. With a blend of new and experienced players, Singapore will be hoping to improve their rankings from the previous WFC in Riga and hopefully finish as the best team in the Asia-Oceania Region.
Players to watch:
Pasupathy Vignesa
Other half of the Pasupathy Twins, he feels gutted knowing his twin will not be playing in this year’s WFC edition due to injury. He will be eager to play and dedicate it to his brother who will be supporting him from the stands.
Seow Joshua
A small and petite player. A player who never stops running when on the court, one wonders if he has an additional lung. Voted as MVP for Singapore in Jeju, he will be hoping to raise his game against the big boys.
Ramlee Syazni
Captain for the team and has been playing for the team since his teens. Singapore will be looking at him for the motivation against the big guns.
JAPAN
Team Japan will do its best to achieve a good balance between veteran and young players. The team aims to perform at its best during the WFC.
Players to watch:
Ichiro Ueda
The half Japanese – half Swedish forward who has great fighting skills. His positive attitude will push him and the team at the same time.
Kenta Higuchi
He is highly experienced player since he has been playing for the national team for a long time now. Skilled goalkeeper who keeps his team in the game.
Tsubasa Takahashi
Young player whose agility and movements on the field are pleasure to watch. It is his first time in the Men´s WFC.
