The Swiss national ice hockey team will prepare for the World Championships, which will take place in Helsinki and Tampere on May 13, with nine games. This includes participation in the exclusive Beijer Hockey Games.
In principle, the tournament in Finland and Sweden is reserved for the four strongest national teams in Europe – Sweden, Finland, the Czech Republic and Russia. After the Russian association was excluded as a result of the Ukraine war, the Swiss team can now take part for the first time.
Russia replacement in the next 2 years
At the Beijer Hockey Games, the Swiss will face Finland (May 5th in Tampere), Sweden (May 7th) and the Czech Republic (May 8th, both in Stockholm).
National coach Patrick Fischer’s team will play the six previous World Cup preparatory games against France (April 15 and 17), Germany (April 21 and 23) and Latvia (April 30 and May 1).
The national hockey preparations for the World Cup
- Good Friday, April 15: France v Switzerland
- Easter Sunday, April 17: Switzerland – France
- Thursday 21 April: Germany-Switzerland
- Saturday 23 April: Germany-Switzerland
- Saturday 30 April: Switzerland v Latvia
- Sunday 1 May: Switzerland v Latvia
Beijer Hockey Games
- Thursday 5 May: Finland v Switzerland (18h30, Tampere)
- Saturday 7 May: Sweden v Switzerland (4pm, Avicii Arena Stockholm)
- Sunday, May 8: Switzerland – Czech Republic (12:00 p.m., Avicii Arena Stockholm)
- Good Friday, April 15: France v Switzerland
- Easter Sunday, April 17: Switzerland – France
- Thursday 21 April: Germany-Switzerland
- Saturday 23 April: Germany-Switzerland
- Saturday 30 April: Switzerland v Latvia
- Sunday 1 May: Switzerland v Latvia
Beijer Hockey Games
- Thursday 5 May: Finland v Switzerland (18h30, Tampere)
- Saturday 7 May: Sweden v Switzerland (4pm, Avicii Arena Stockholm)
- Sunday, May 8: Switzerland – Czech Republic (12:00 p.m., Avicii Arena Stockholm)
Because of Russia’s exclusion, Switzerland will also be able to take part in tournaments reserved for the top four European national teams in the next two years. (sr/sda)