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Switzerland lost their last game of the group stage once morest Denmark (5-3). She is waiting to know her opponent in the round of 16.
The distress of the Swiss players contrasts with the joy of their Danish opponents.
AFP
Having already scored two own goals in their first two matches (Corvi, Weber), the question was whether the Swiss side would add another ‘autogoal’ to their collection once morest Denmark on Saturday. The answer came pretty quickly. This time, it was Lukas Frick, the LHC defender, who inadvertently sent the puck from the skate into the back of the net following a shot from Frederik Storm in powerplay (21st, 1-2). This second Danish goal also fell… 21 seconds following the equalizer at 1-1 signed Peter Regin (21st, 1-1).
An own goal, two goals conceded in 21 seconds. So many scenes that illustrate the Swiss team’s missed start to the tournament. Denmark’s Heinz Ehlers quietly took the opportunity to play their game and win the second period with a score of 0-3. The Swiss were however off to a good start in this match. Enzo Corvi, perfectly served by Yannick Weber, had opened the scoring following 16 minutes of play.
Malgin’s return without effect
Nothing worked for Patrick Fischer’s group, which had changed its lines of attack to reinstate Denis Malgin, back from quarantine. The ZSC striker, short of competition, did not solve the attacking problems of the Swiss team. The other players supposed to assume the offensive charge, starting with Grégory Hofmann, have remained very discreet. And in goal, Reto Berra, excellent once morest the Russians at the start of the tournament, had a very frustrating match.
The Swiss reacted at the end of the match, but the goals scored by Romain Loeffel (45th, 2-4 / at 5 c 4) and Fabrice Herzog (58th, 3-4 / at 6 c 5) were not enough to erase the bad impression left by Patrick Fischer’s selection.
On Tuesday, Switzerland will have to go through the play-offs – once morest an opponent who is not yet known – to hope to reach the quarter-finals. After these first three matches of the group stage, all lost, the goal of reaching the semi-finals still seems very remote…
Wukesong Sports Center, Beijing.
Referees: Gofman (RUS), Vikman (FIN), Malmqvist (SUE) et Shalagin (RUS).
Buts: 16th Corvi (Weber) 1-0, 21st Regin (Storm, N. Jensen / 5 c 4) 1-1, 22nd Storm (NB Jensen, Russel) 1-2, 34th Boedker (Russel) 1-3, 42nd Meyer ( NB Jensen, Jakobsen) 1-4, 45e Loeffel (Untersander, Corvi / 5 c 4) 2-4, 58e Herzog (Corvi, Untersander / 6 c 5) 3-4, 60e Storm (Russel / 5 c 6, cage vide ) 3-5.
Suisse: berra; Diaz, Mueller; Untersander, Frick; Loeffel, Weber; alatalo; Andrighetto, Malgin, Hollenstein; Moser, Haas, Hofmann; Ambühl, Corvi, Thürkauf; Vermin, Bertschy, Herzog; motet. Entraineur: Fischer.
Denmark: Dichow; O. Lauridsen, Jensen Aabo; Lassen, M. Lauridsen; Larsen, NB Jensen; Kristensen; N. Jensen, Nielsen, Boedker; Russel, Regin, Storm; Bau, Madsen, Meyer; Poulsen, Jakobsen, Aagaard; J. Jensen. Trainer: Ehlers.
Penalties: 7 x 2′ once morest Switzerland, 2 x 2′ once morest Denmark.
Notes: Switzerland without Simion (quarantine), Aeschlimann or Fora (supernumeraries). 100th selection for Leonardo Genoni. Shot on the post: Weber (39th). Time out requested by Switzerland (59th). Switzerland released their goalkeeper in favor of a sixth outfield player (from 57’28 to 57’37; 58’15 to 59’01).