Finland’s leading floorball website Pääkallo.fi ranked the 5 most interesting male players in Champions Cup 2023. Their list includes players that caught the eye in the WFC in November but also young talent yet to face their ultimate test there.
#5 Alpo Laitila, Classic
20-year-old Alpo Laitila keeps growing into a more and more important piece in Classic’s injury-ridden lineup. In this year’s F-liiga the agile playmaker has produced a point per game recording three goals and 14 assists.
Should Classic’s health situation not get essentially better until mid-January, he, too is about to face quite a challenge. Laitila played impressively in the U19 WFC in 2021 but has not yet reached the same level in F-liiga or the men’s national team. Champions Cup amidst Classic’s own supporters is a major opportunity for a breakthrough for him.
#4 Malte Lundmark, IBF Falun
Lundmark who is a mere year older than Laitila made his international breakthrough in the WFC in November. Shooting right, he scored a hat trick in the final and two points per game through the tournament. For years already, Lundmark has been considered a big promise and he made his – season debut in the SSL in the 2017-2018 season. He has performed well in Sweden’s top team and in the Champions Cup he can make his mark even stronger internationally.
#3 Lukas Bauer, Florbal MB
Bauer has made the headlines in two consecutive WFC tournaments being selected as the All-Star goalkeeper. Czech’s two medals there have had a lot to do with his big saves. In the Champions Cup, Bauer will face a big challenge stopping Sweden’s superteam IBF Falun. Nothing short of big saves will be enough there.
#2 Emil Johansson, IBF Falun
Johansson is likely to be the best player we get to watch in the Champions Cup. In the WFC, his intelligent and speedy moves were once again top class. For some reason, Alexander Galante Carlström who impressed in the scoring league was elected tournament MVP instead of Johansson. Especially if you consider a player’s worth for his team, it was Johansson who can play multiple positions would have been worth the title.
#1 Lassi Toriseva, Classic
It is his unpredictability that brings the Classic goalie to this list. In his best games, Lassi Toriseva can be the best floorball goalie in the world but there is also the mediocre Toriseva who has taken his place in several games in this year’s F-liiga and certain WFC games in November. As the Champions Cup playing system has no mercy, Classic’s fate will be decided according to which Toriseva they have guarding their net for the semi-final.
Photo: Esa Takalo
