Neuchâtel, Switzerland, November 13, 2019 – Day 7 will see the semi-final line-up of the 2019 WFC confirmed as Poland and the Czech Republic battle it out to face Switzerland in the last four, and Germany meet Sweden with the prize a semi-final date with Finland.
Meanwhile, two Group C and D thrillers will be repeated, as Denmark once again face Norway for ninth place and Australia prepare to rub shoulders with Singapore for 11th.
Here is all Floorball fans can expect from four brilliant games on Day 7:
European top ten underdogs take on reigning world champions
Germany’s dramatic late winner against Singapore earned them this quarter-final tie against the gold medal holding Swedes, and although they are up against the odds, there are indications that they could make this a competitive game.
Anna Lena Best finally broke her duck in the win over Singapore, but forward Kisa Reck has also chipped in with some vital goals herself. The two will need to be razor sharp to have any hope of winning, and they will have to get beyond some in-form players in the shape of Myra Aggestal, Moa Tschop and Stephanie Boberg.
Meanwhile, Germany’s defence must be on red alert to cope with the array of firepower at Sweden’s disposal. Anna Wijk, Johanna Hultgren, Sofia Joelsson, Moa Gustafsson and Alice Granstedt are all off the mark in Neuchâtel and constitute a forward line that could give any team nightmares. If unleashed today, they are sure to wow spectators.
World Number Four meets World Number Seven
The fourth seeded Czech Republic have been consistently strong so far, the only hiccup coming in a group phase defeat to Sweden, and they will be looking to rekindle that good form against Poland, whose record stands at two wins and two defeats from four games.
The Czechs are more than capable of scoring goals, particularly so given the form of Tereza Urbankova, Natalie Martinakova and Michaela Mlejnkova, and if they bring their A Game, the Poles are likely to have a real battle on their hands.
But, Poland have their own firepower to cause the Czechs some trouble. Justyna Krzywak and Dominika Buczek were both scorers in their previous win over Australia, but with others such as Katarzyna Rogala and Agnieszka Timek-Dziadkowiec also contributing goals, there is plenty in the Polish armoury that could put paid to Czech dreams.
It will be a massive leap for Poland to reach the last four, and a major scalp to take if they can get the better of the Czechs. This one could be an even and exciting affair.
A second instalment of the Scandinavian derby
Local rivals Denmark and Norway will meet again with ninth place the prize, and although Norway had the better of the group encounter between the two, both sides have been in exceptional form since.
Rikke Ingebrigtsli Hansen has cemented her status as a star forward and much of Norway’s creative spark comes from her. The clash between her and the Danish trio of forwards Cecilia Di Nardo, Klara Fjorder and Lina Voldby will be a real spectacle, but much will depend on whether Norway’s other goal threats, such as Heidi Rod, Martine Simonsen, Martina Hall and Emma Lunde can also deliver. A lot of Norway’s strengths are in defence, with Sandra Craig, Anette Marie Berg and Eline Dagestad all playing well, and they will need to perform to slam the brakes on the Danish attack.
The last game between the sides was a 5:4 thriller in Norway’s favour, and it has every chance of being just as heart-stopping this time.
A repeat of a Group D humdinger
Singapore and Australia, both paired in Group D for the first round of fixtures, will rub shoulders again with 11th place there to be won.
Amanda Yeap and Jerelee Ong have been among the more consistent performers for the Southeast Asians, but in the last couple of fixtures, Siti Nurhaliza Khairil Anuar has entered the frame as one of their central goal threats.
Yasmin Skene and Blaise Hodges are Australia’s danger women, but Jessica Birks has also chipped in with key goals and assists of late and if the three are in-tune, then there is every chance that they may be on the right end of the result this time.
The race to be the all-time leading WFC goal scorer continues
Denmark’s Cecilia Di Nardo is currently tied at the top of the all-time leading World Championship goal scorers list with Switzerland’s Corin Rüttimann. With the Swiss not in semi-final action until Saturday, Di Nardo has a chance to edge back in front, and she will be relishing the opportunity to do so against near neighbours Norway.
Match schedule 13.12.19
Patinoires du Littoral:
10:00 am- Singapore vs Australia (11th Place)
1:00 pm- Denmark vs Norway (9th Place)
4:00 pm- Czech Republic vs Poland (Quarter-Final)
7:00 pm- Sweden vs Germany (Quarter-Final)
La Riveraine
No match