The 2018 World Floorball Championship knows the first semifinalist. Team Switzerland, as a favorite in the first quarterfinal, had a lot of trouble with Norway. The Scandinavians created many big scoring opportunities, but were able to utilize just two of them, which wasn’t enough to beat their Swiss opponents, who scored one more in overtime.
In the replay of the last world championship’s quarterfinal, Switzerland opened the score in the 8th minute when Joël Rüegger found the net. Norway replied seven minutes later with Sindre Bjerknes’ shot at the far post. From that moment it was the Norwegians who controlled the ball most of the time and created more chances. But unfortunately for them, the score remained even.
In the second period Switzerland had higher possession, whereas the Norwegians decided to build an unbreakable defensive wall, which stopped many Swiss shots. In offense they relied on quick and dangerous counter-attacks, although they didn’t create as many chances as in the first period. Anyway, both teams failed to score in the middle period and went into the dressing rooms with the score still at 1-1.
Switzerland entered the third period in high style and after just 84 seconds Manuel Maurer redirected Meier’s pass and sent his team ahead. The tension was rising and the fans could again see lots of scoring opportunities on both sides, with Maurer and Hjemgard failing to score from the biggest chances. Four minutes before the end, the Norwegians killed a penalty and after just three seconds playing at full strength Jelsnes caught the ball and with a sensational throw he found Kronberg who tied the score with a backhand shot. And since no more goals were scored in the remainder of the regulation, the match went into overtime.
After just thirty seconds of extra time, Tim Braillard scored the clincher that sent Switzerland into the semifinals. The Norwegian fans can be proud of their team, though.
DAY 4: Group Stage Culminating, Czech Republic to Face Switzerland – 4.12.2018
Germany Saves Czechs by Beating Latvia, Nordic Powers Post Convincing Wins – 4.12.2018
Sweden Dominates Norway to Get Easy 9-1 Win – 3.12.2018
Estonia Beats Thailand 11-4 to End Group Stage Unbeaten – 3.12.2018
Great First Period Secures First Victory for Finland – 3.12.2018
Great Defense Gives Australia First Tournament Win over Poland – 3.12.2018
Data Analysis: Latvia vs Czech Republic 4:3 – 3.12.2018
Impressive Third Period Pushes Germany to First Win in Prague – 3.12.2018
Zubir‘s Two Goals Help Singapore Beat Japan in Front of 6,341 Spectators – 3.12.2018
Data Analysis: Finland vs Sweden 4:5 – 3.12.2018
DAY 3: Program Starts with Asian Battle, Fans to See Two Nordic Derbies – 3.12.2018
Latvia Stuns the Hosts, Slovakia and Switzerland on Scoring Surge – 3.12.2018
Estonia Wins Evening Thriller in Arena Sparta – 2.12.2018
First Tournament Surprise as Latvia Beats Czech Republic 4-3 – 2.12.2018
Battle between Canada and Singapore Ends in First Tournament Draw – 2.12.2018
Switzerland Outclasses Germany 13-1, Känzig Scores Four Goals – 2.12.2018
Japan Enters Tournament with 1-15 Loss against Slovakia – 2.12.2018
Norway Turns Score to Get First Tournament Win – 2.12.2018
Data Analysis: Germany vs Czech Republic 5:10 – 2.12.2018
DAY 2: Twelve Teams in Action, Czechs to Face Latvia – 2.12.2018