The 15th Men’s World Floorball Championships will take place from 7th — 15th December in Malmö, Sweden. Group C will see Estonia, Canada, Philippines & Australia play against each other.
Estonia
Describe your team, and what should we expect from your team during WFC 2024?
This Estonian team is a strong combination of young and slightly more experienced players. Several players at a good technical level give us the opportunity to play effective floorball. Our goal for the WFC 2024 is to play among the top eight teams.
Players to watch
Who is your most dangerous attacker and why?
#87 Tanel Kasenurm – An experienced, technical player with good goal instinct who has succeeded at international level.
Who is your strongest defender and why?
#50 Rasmus Bolander – An Experienced, valued player who has played in strong leagues for a long time.
Who is your toughest player and why?
#64 Kaspar Kallion– An unexpected, technical, physically strong and experienced player on the court.
Who is your face-off champion?
Canada
Describe your team, and what should we expect from your team during WFC 2024?
Canada comes to the Men’s World Championships with a new coach and a veteran lineup which is mostly the same as the WFC 2022, where Canada finished 12th. Coach Mattias Karlsson comes to the men’s program from Sweden, where he headed the Karlstad IBF men’s team in Allsvenskan and the women’s team in the SSL. He has gotten to know the men’s team in November when Canada beat Iceland and the U.S.A. in friendly matches, and in February in Toronto for the WFCQ AMER.
Players to watch
Who is your most dangerous attacker and why?
#91 Valtteri Viitakoski – He is consistently among the top scorers in the World Championships, and is a threat anytime he is on the court. He has a powerful and accurate shot along with excellent vision and an ability to always find open space. Currently playing for Nokian KRP in F-Liiga.
Who is your strongest defender and why?
#16 Kristoffer Ruckemann – Ruckemann uses his poise, patience, and intelligence to steer the play while also being able to shut down threats.
Who is your toughest player and why?
#82 Jonathan Kuysten – Many players could be listed here, but Johnny stands out from the rest as the player that most closely resembles a truck.
Who is your face-off champion?
#55 Tristan Walsh – Tristan gets very low during the faceoff, and uses this to win the 50/50 draws more often than not.
Philippines
Describe your team, and what should we expect from your team during WFC 2024?
For an Asian country we are strong from a tactical standpoint with many individually skilled players. Our opponents shouldn’t underestimate us. Our main goal is to be the best placed Asian team.
Players to watch
Who is your most dangerous attacker and why?
It is difficult to decide between #40 Kim Varga and #24 Melvin Alm Mendoza – Both of them are very comfortable with the ball, are sharpshooters and know where the goal is located.
Who is your strongest defender and why?
#11 Simon Sicat Laraño – A big and strong player with a great reach, also a strong threat offensively
Who is your toughest player and why?
#4 Ludvig Porral Hemmingberg – Extremely strong around our own goal and difficult to get passed by.
Who is your face-off champion?
Australia
Describe your team, and what should we expect from your team during WFC 2024?
Team Australia is coming in with high expectations about returning to Sweden for the WFC 2024. Group C is a close group which Australia will be aiming to get the best result possible from. With the short turn around from WFCQ the team is full of energy and ready to hit the court at full speed for their first game.
Players to watch
Who is your most dangerous attacker and why?
#91 Liam Perry – Liam is a sharp shooter and always steps up for big games, this WFC will be no different. He has an eye for the net and often illudes defenders to score game changing goals.
Who is your strongest defender and why?
#35 Jack Keene – Jack is having a great local season and had an amazing performance in the WFCQ to help secure the spot in the WFC. He is a quick and physical defender who also has an eye for scoring if he is given the chance.
Who is your toughest player and why?
#9 Jonathan Salt – Jonathan is one of the toughest players on the team. He does what ever is required of him for the team, he is one of the more difficult players to play against both on offence and defence.
Who is your face-off champion?
*Information is provided by the teams and edited by the IFF
