WFCQ 2027 EUR2 & AMER: Czechia and Slovakia qualify as USA force historic decider

The penultimate day of Women’s World Floorball Championships 2027 qualification action delivered the first confirmed qualifiers and set up several decisive encounters for the final day. Czechia and Slovakia secured their places in Turku, while USA kept the AMER qualification race alive with an impressive response against Canada.

Austria vs Czechia

Austria frustrated Czechia during the opening stages of their final match at the Women’s World Floorball Championships 2027 EUR2 Qualification, blocking several early shooting opportunities and keeping the tournament favourites at bay. Once Czechia found a way through, however, the goals began to arrive in quick succession. Eight different goals gave the Czechs an 8-0 lead at the first intermission, with the Austrian defence increasingly stretched as the period progressed.

The scoring continued after the break as Czechia further underlined their status as one of the leading teams in the qualification tournament. Austria briefly celebrated through Anna Meusburger, who scored her side’s only goal of the contest shortly after an own goal had pushed Czechia into double figures. The Czechs nevertheless continued to convert their chances and entered the final period with a commanding advantage.

Czechia maintained their intensity until the final whistle and secured a 25-1 victory to confirm their place at the 2027 Women’s World Floorball Championships. Linda Fuchsová led all players with seven points (4+3) and was named Czechia’s best player of the match, while Karolína Klubalová matched her tally with seven points of her own (3+4). There was also a memorable milestone for Monika Bláhová, who scored her first goal for the senior national team. For Austria, Anna Meusburger, who scored her team’s lone goal, was selected as best player.

USA vs Canada

Less than 24 hours after suffering an 8-0 defeat to Canada, the United States delivered a remarkable response in one of the most intriguing matches of the Women’s World Floorball Championships 2027 Qualifications. Canada struck first through Sophie Pomeroy after only 41 seconds, but USA looked like a completely different team from the opening whistle. Michelle Linhart quickly levelled the score before adding a second later in the period, giving the Americans a lead they would not relinquish.

Linhart completed her hat-trick on the power play with less than two minutes remaining in the opening period, although Sofia Holm pulled one back for Canada moments later to keep the contest alive at 3-2. USA continued to show confidence in key moments after the break. Jenna Hausman converted a penalty shot before Ester Angerstig extended the advantage, while Canada struggled to capitalise on several promising scoring opportunities despite creating plenty of chances.

Canada reduced the deficit through Pomeroy in the third period and pushed hard for another breakthrough, but USA goalkeeper Ella Gjerde produced an outstanding performance between the posts. The American stopper finished with 30 saves and was deservedly named Player of the Match as USA secured a 6-3 victory, with Angerstig sealing the result into an empty net in the final second. Linhart led the way offensively with three goals and one assist in a statement performance.