Neuchâtel, Switzerland, December 7, 2019 – The 2019 Women’s Floorball World Championships are kicking off today, and Neuchâtel is gripped with Floorball fever and ready for the best in the world to cross swords once again.
The highly anticipated opening ceremony will take place at 14:45 CET at the main Patinoires du Littoral venue, ahead of host-nation Switzerland’s showdown with Germany in Group A (15:15 CET). Elsewhere, holders Sweden are in action as they begin the defence of their crown, whilst their arch-rivals Finland, the 2017 runners-up, are also looking to get off to a strong start.
But what do Floorball fans worldwide have to look forward to in what will be an action-packed opening day?
- Swiss hoping to roll over Germany in big opener
The Swiss are on home soil and will be looking to get off to a perfect start with a win in front of their own fans. It will be a clash between two of the emerging talents in women’s Floorball, with Switzerland’s Corin Rüttiman facing off against Germany’s Anna Lena Best. Which of these can exert the most influence on the match may be vital in deciding the winner.
The official opening ceremony will take place before this game, and that will be a spectacle that fans won’t want to miss.
- Two midday warm-up acts to start the day
Before the big opening ceremony, there will be an exciting warm-up act with 2017 runners-up and World Number Two Finland the first team to take to Patinoires du Littoral in a clash with Poland (12:00 CET) in Group B. Fans can look forward to watching Finland’s Veera Kauppi, with Justyna Krzywak, Weronika Noga and Dominika Buczek the danger women for the Poles.
Coinciding with this match at the secondary La Riveraine venue is a Group C tie, which will see Asia’s leading side Japan take on Denmark.
- The holders begin their title defence
Holders Sweden are aiming for a ninth world championship crown, and begin the hunt for yet another trophy against Slovakia in Group B (18:15 CET). There will be a number of the greatest talents in the world on show for the Swedes, including Anna Wijk, Amanda Delgado Johansson, Moa Tschöp and Emelie Wibron. If Asa Karlsson’s team are to get the big opening win that they and their fans crave, however, they will need to keep Slovakia’s top talents quiet, including the deadly Paulína Hudáková.
- A clash between two of Europe’s emerging sides
The 15:15 CET showdown at La Riveraine sees emerging powers Estonia and Norway face off in Group C. Both teams are hoping to steal a top two place in the group to have a chance of a quarter-final place, so hitting the ground running here will be important. Rikke Ingebrigstli Hansen carries the attacking threat for Norway, but she’ll be in for an enthralling battle with Estonia’s battling duo of Kristel Kopel and Katrin Kivirand.
- An all-anglophone affair
The opening day’s only Group D encounter throws up an interesting tie between Australia and the USA (18:15 CET). Being at opposite ends of the world, it is no derby match, but both sides share a language and a common desire for a big opening victory. Both goalkeepers, Kate MacBean of the USA and Australia’s Leith Woods are experienced veterans, but both sides also boast exciting young talents. Selma Johansson and Jenna Hausman will hope to deliver the goods for the Americans on the big stage, while Australia fans can enjoy the attacking talents of their own sniper, Blaise Hodges. Another Aussie youngster to look out for is Yasmin Skene, who will feature in her third WFC at the tender age of 21.
Match schedule 07.12.19
Patinoires du Littoral
12:00 pm FIN – POL (A)
15:15 pm SUI – GER (A)
18:15 pm SVK SWE (B)
La Riveraine
12:00 pm JPN – DNK (C)
15:15 pm EST – NOR (C)
18:15 pm AUS – USA (D)