Neuchâtel, Switzerland, December 8, 2019 – Host-nation Switzerland wrote the story of today as they tore up the script and downed 2017 silver medalists Finland in a 7:4 victory to sit top of Group A. Meanwhile, the fourth-seeded Czech Republic got off to a winning start in Group B, and Poland picked up a crucial win over Germany to get back on track in Group A.
Elsewhere, Norway and Singapore came out on top in Group C and D respectively in tense derby encounters, while a late comeback for Estonia ousted Japan to provide the Baltic side with the perfect repose to their defeat by Norway on Day 1.
Patinoires du Littoral:
10:30- Latvia 2:14 Czech Republic (Group B)
Eliska Krupnova, Martina Repkova, Nela Jirakova and Denisa Rajatova all notched braces for the Czech Republic as they powered to a 14:2 win over luckless Latvia, but the Czechs were indebted to goalkeeper and MVP Jana Christianova, who made a string of stunning saves to keep their opponents at bay.
The best of Christianova’s saves included a penalty shot save and a breathtaking one-handed stop to deny Latvia’s Anna Ankudinova, as she tipped the ball onto one post before it deflected back onto the inside of the opposite post and out for the Czech defence to clear.
Latvia did manage to break Christianova’s resistance twice with goals from Ankudinova and Paula Matisone, but the Czechs always held the aces, with Adela Bocanova, Tereza Urbankova, Natalie Martinakova, Kamila Paloncyova and Tereza Hanzlikova all joining their brace-scoring compatriots on the scoresheet, while an unlucky Evelina Garbare also put the ball into her own net in what was a comfortable and routine win for the Czechs. But, with this being the first game for both sides at the 2019 World Championship, there is still plenty of work to do in pursuit of a quarter-final place.
13:30- Finland 4:7 Switzerland (Group A)
Another spectacular Swiss performance on home soil blew away a helpless Finland side, as the 2017 bronze medalists toppled the silver medal holders to seize top spot in Group A with one round of fixtures left to go in the group phase.
It was a carnival atmosphere at Patinoires du Littoral as the home fans lifted the decibels in support of their team, and that resonated with the Swiss players as they took a huge step toward the quarter-finals. Brigitte Mischler tapped in at the back post to get the party started, before Lisa Liechti fired in from range to put the hosts in control at 2:0 by the first interval.
Jenna Saario provided some respite for the Finns after the interval with a goal, but the Swiss wouldn’t be upstaged; Michelle Wiki, Corin Rüttimann and Nadia Reinhard all replying with goals. A Corin Rüttimann penalty shortly after the second restart made it 6:1 for Switzerland, before Finland threatened a comeback with successive strikes from Mia Karjalainen, Oona Kauppi and Mia Vallenius to cut the Swiss lead to two.
Finland piled on the pressure but couldn’t force a other crucial goal, and in the closing minute Margrit Scheidegger struck again for the Swiss to put the game beyond doubt and seal a famous win. A huge step toward a spot in the last eight for the Swiss, and a reality check for Finland to respond to in their final group showdown with Germany.
16:30- Poland 4:1 Germany (Group A)
Poland mustered the perfect response to their defeat on Day 1 with a hard-fought win over Germany to get back on track in Group A in the hunt for an automatic quarter-final place.
Justyna Krzywak’s solo effort after four minutes ushered the Poles ahead and was all there was to separate the two teams after the opening 20 minutes.
Justyna Krzywak was then fed in by Zuzanna Krzywak to double the Polish advantage immediately after the restart, before the excellent Dominika Buczek hit a third 33 seconds into the final period.
Winona Jurgens hit a consolation goal to restore some pride for Germany, but Katarzyna Rogala fired home in the final minute to ensure Poland had the last word and an important win in the bag.
La Riveraine:
12:00- Thailand 1:3 Singapore (Group D)
Singapore overcame a first third deficit to topple Thailand 1:3 in the Southeast Asian derby and get their World Championship campaign off to an ideal start.
It was the Thais who enjoyed the early momentum and they put themselves into the driving seat with Thanaporn Tongkham’s strike, the only goal of the opening 20 minutes.
After the first break, Amanda Yeap cut in from the right side and unleashed a brilliant strike which beat everyone including the goalkeeper to level the score, before Jerelee Ong nudged the Singaporeans ahead. They wouldn’t surrender the lead from there, as Shannon Yeo hit a third goal to put the gloss on a big win in Group D.
15:00- Japan 4:6 Estonia (Group C)
Estonia pulled off a spectacular late fightback to stun Japan, overturning a one-goal deficit you steal victory and ensure the Baltic side got back on track in Group C. It was the ideal response to an opening day defeat for the Estonians, while Japan were condemned to successive defeats.
It was Japan who were the quickest out of the blocks with goals from Mahiro Shimizu and Yui Goto, but Diana Klavan and Kristel Kopel hit retaliatory strikes for Estonia to make it all square after the first period.
Shimizu notched a further two goals after the break to complete her hattrick either side of a second Klavan goal to give Japan the lead going into the final third of the game. But not to be denied, Estonia rallied; Edith Parnik firing home an equaliser before Kopel popped up with another crucial goal which proved to be the winner with six minutes left. Japan’s confidence waned from there, and Kati Kitisaar worked her way inside from the right flank and fired across goal and into the bottom corner to put the game beyond Japan and seal a thrilling comeback win.
18:00- Denmark 4:5 Norway (Group C)
Norway held off a spirited Denmark fightback to hold onto victory in the Scandinavian derby game and take a huge step toward a top-two place in Group C and a spot in the playoff-round for the quarter-finals.
The Norwegians didn’t have it all their own way, however, and were caught cold early on as Cecilia Di Nardo fired their Danish neighbours ahead after just 29 seconds of the game. Despite the early setback, Norway maintained their discipline and hit back with goals from Sandra Craig, Sofie Kristiansen and the excellent Rikke Ingebrigtsli Hansen to lead 1:3. Ingebrigtsli Hansen then supplied Eline Dagestad, who smashed in her first ever World Championship goal to give Norway a 1:4 lead at the break.
Maria Olausson struck for Denmark after the interval before Ingebrigtsli Hansen notched her second to restore Norway’s three goal lead going into the final third of the game, and Norway were forced to hold on for the win as Klara Fjorder and Di Nardo both fired in to set-up a grandstand finish. But hold on the Norwegians did, and they not only claimed a massive derby win but are now one win away from finishing top of Group C and progressing to the playoff round.