The German national ice hockey team is fighting for the next points at the World Cup in Riga.
We follow the game against Finland on Saturday (7.15 p.m.) in the live ticker.
Ice Hockey World Cup: Germany - Finland -: -
>>> UPDATE <<<
Riga - So far, you have given us so much fun at the World Cup * - now the German national ice hockey team was allowed to breathe for a day: National coach Toni Söderholm drove his team out of Riga to have fun on a sand dune on Thursday. Just don't think about ice hockey or talk about the bankruptcy against Kazakhstan * was the motto. "We give the players completely ice hockey-free," said Söderholm before the trip, which took place under the strict Corona protection regulations. "We'll gather our strengths and strengthen ourselves on several fronts, and then we'll come back."
Only on Saturday (7.15 p.m. / Sport1) against defending champion Finland - Söderholm's homeland - the selection of the German Ice Hockey Federation at the World Cup continues.
After the unexpected 2: 3 against Kazakhstan on Wednesday, the USA on Monday and World Cup hosts Latvia on Tuesday still need points to make the desired quarter-finals perfect despite the three opening wins from the remaining preliminary round games against the Finns.
"We don't have to make ourselves smaller than we are," said top defender Moritz Seider in view of the difficult, following tasks and promised: "We will fight back."
Ice hockey World Cup: Germany against Finland in the live ticker - DEB team back on track?
For the only time at this World Cup, the German team in Riga has two days off after the game against the Kazakhs, which is good for regeneration on the one hand. On the other hand, Söderholm and sports director Christian Künast indicated that this can be difficult, especially after a defeat under the current circumstances. Just going out to Riga's beautiful old town to have a coffee is not possible in view of the corona protection regulations. The greatest feeling in the hotel is a meeting room, which also serves as a dining room, equipped with a table tennis table and a foosball table that is only available to the German team. "This room, the room, the hall - that's it," said Künast, listing the possibilities for the players so far. The danger of the camp crash is great.
Therefore Söderholm canceled the training on Thursday and accepted the offer of the World Cup organizers to visit one of two possible destinations outside of Riga.
With a police escort, coaches and players were driven out of town to a dune.
“It's just us, no other person is there,” reported Künast, almost wistfully.
“Just adding the aspect of fresh air.” Obviously, that alone is difficult.
Ice hockey World Cup in the live ticker: Germany hopes for Dominik Kahun - no option against Finland yet
This makes it clear: Under these circumstances, team spirit is more important than ever - and it currently seems to be the best. “The team is a unit. We will go our own way ”, promised Künast, who, like DEB President Franz Reindl, sees the historic opportunity for the German team at this tournament. Due to the circumstances, many NHL top stars such as Germany's 2020 athlete Leon Draisaitl were unable to come to Riga for the World Cup. After the playoffs of the Edmonton Oilers, only his teammate Dominik Kahun was able to travel quickly to the Latvian capital.
Ideally, he could play for Germany against the USA on Monday *. “In theory it is possible. You have to wait and see, ”said Künast. The game against Latvia on Tuesday is more realistic. Finland took the lead in Group B ahead of the duel with Germany on Saturday. The defending champion won on Thursday evening easily and unspectacularly 3-0 (2-0, 1-0, 0-0) against the still pointless bottom Italy *. After four games, the Finns overtook Germany and the USA (both nine) by ten points, who had previously missed hosts Latvia the second defeat in the tournament.
(akl / dpa) * Merkur.de is an offer from IPPEN.MEDIA
