Switzerland tops Estonia in the first game of World Championships – 03.12.2016

After a dramatic first period, Switzerland dominated the game and sealed their victory in the first round robin game of the IFF World Championships in Riga with a score 8:4

Switzerland began the first period with high offensive pressure. To ensure that they will come on top, Lucas Graf beat the Estonian goalkeeper just a minute and 45 seconds into the game , scoring the first goal of the tournament. Estonia had to fight back and pull their game together to try and not only survive attacks from the Swiss but also generate some offense. This resulted in a tie just 3:34 into the game from a goal scored by Andreas Woiduma. Estonia  made full use of a goal scoring opportunity and took the lead 2-1 with two minutes left to play in the first period. Right after that, Switzerland got penalized and it was time for an Estonian power play. Unfortunately for the Estonians, the Swiss team managed to score during their box play with just 10 seconds left into the 1st period and tied the game 2-2.

Early in the 2nd period both teams had some valuable scoring chances and that ended up going very well for Switzerland, as they took the lead with just 2:01 played. A minute and thirty seconds later Swiss extended their lead by two goals after a nice shot from the front of the net, making it 2-4 for them. Minutes later, Estonia managed to cut their opponents´ lead to one goal despite being stuck in their own end for most of the 1st half of the period. Unfortunately home teams celebrations were cut short after Switzerland renewed their two goal lead. Being awarded with their first power play of the game, the visitors made their voice heard again and doubled their lead over the Estonians, making it 3-6 mid-way through the game. Another power play, another goal, meaning that the visitors now had a commanding four goal lead after two periods of play.

As 3rd period started, it was clear that Switzerland had no intentions to rush the game with already a comfortable lead. They showed some laid back game of floorball. Meanwhile Estonia tried the best they could to come back from their huge downfall, in hope of chasing four goals. No luck for them as the visitors struck again, making it 3-8 and basically sealing the game at this point. At the mid point of the third period it was clear that the Estonians were doing their best to make this game count, but unfortunately the team struggled to exit their own defensive zone for a long period of time - despite being in control of the ball. Offensive pressure by the Estonians resulted in a goal for them with little over five minutes to play in the game. Nothing changed late in the game and Switzerland came out on the winning side, 4-8 the final score.