WFC Qualifcations are over in Trencin and Finland, Germany, Slovakia and Latvia made their way to final 16 in Neuchâtel, Switzerland.
Morning started with an exciting match between Russia and Germany. Germany took the lead in the first period, but Russia came back to second period with a new plan in mind. Germany was lost during the first minutes and Kseniia Makkoveeva scored the 4-4 goal on the 26th minute. After that Trencin only saw goals from Germany. With the final score 8-4, Germany took their place in the final 16. Best players of the match were Nancy Gatzsch (GER) and Vera Pelevina (RUS).
In the second match of today, Finland took the win with sovereign numbers 37-0. Austria had a couple of chances to score, but Finland took care of the fact that their goalie, Noora Vuorela will keep the goal untouched. As mentioned before, Austria showed a great team spirit and cheered for all successes on the field. Best players of the match were Oona Kauppi (FIN) with 8 points (5+3) and Elke Mayrhofer (AUT).
The match between Slovakia and Latvia was expected to be a even one and that it really was. Slovakia’s Michaela Sponiarova started the scoring when only 25 seconds had passed and the first period ended 2-1 for the home team. Second period continued as even as the first one and especially the last period looked like it was going to be Latvia’s. But in the end, no more goals during the last 20 minutes and final score 5-3 for Slovakia. Best players of the match were Eliza Berzina (LAT) and Paulina Hudakova (SVK).
Hungary and Netherlands played the last game in the Trencin qualifications. Hungary started the scoring, but Netherlands was able to even the game by the end of first 20 minutes. Second period continued as tight as the first one, and only one more goal was seen from Hungary. Last period decided it for Hungary, when first Dora Szalai scored from her penalty shot and Nora Lelovics shot the last goal in the opponent’s net. Final score 4-1. Best players of the match were Karolina Babusa (HUN) and Loena van Rooijen (NED).
With all the European group matches played the final standings for group EUR2 and EUR4 were:
EUR2
- Finland Q
- Germany Q
- Russia
- Spain
- Austria
EUR4
- Slovakia Q
- Latvia Q
- Hungary
- Netherlands
TEAM MVP’S
Spain: Paula Arenal Beltran
Germany: Alena Holst
Russia: Mariia Basargina
Finland: Veera Kauppi
Austria: Olga Ruffler
Latvia: Liga Vancane
Slovakia: Michaela Sponiarova
Hungary: Nora Lelovics
Netherlands: Marissa Meijer
Statistics for all games, standings and players can be found HERE
Full match replays & live matches from WFCQ in Trencin can be watched on IFF YouTube Channel 1
A selection of photos is available on IFF flickr
