Dhe party evening was intense, but comparatively short. The players knew when it was time to end the party in the locker room and give their bodies the rest they needed after the exertion. After “fifteen to thirty minutes”, Toni Söderholm got the impression that everyone had ticked off the thrill of the quarter-final victory over Switzerland for now – and the focus was already on the upcoming match against Finland, which this Saturday ( 5.15 p.m. at Sport1) is about the entry into the final of the ice hockey world championship.
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“It was important that the emotions came out,” said the national coach, looking back at the cheering scenes after the shootout, during which some tears had flowed: “Without these emotions we would not be where we are now.” Two Victories are missing until the big coup at this tournament in Latvia, which will be remembered by all those involved in the entourage of the German Ice Hockey Federation not only because of the corona pandemic.
Its president, Franz Reindl, said he was “totally overwhelmed” by the events in which he saw parallels to the furious achievements at the 2018 Olympics, which were decorated with silver. On Saturday morning Reindl made a name for himself. The 66-year-old announced that he would run for president of the World Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) in September. The Swiss René Fasel then resigns. Reindl announced his decision at the regular IIHF congress in Riga. Possible competitors from other nations have not yet revealed themselves.
Söderholm praises “great role models”
“The team can be proud of themselves,” said Söderholm, who had an increased pulse rate because of the progression against Switzerland in the penalty shootout, but the result “did not surprise me,” added the Finn: “Because it confirmed what was possible for us is. ”In the upcoming duel with the selection of his home country, for which he once stood up and won medals at major events, he sees the Germans he looks after in an outsider role, from which a lot can be achieved.
In the preliminary round they had to admit defeat to the defending champions almost 1: 2, but since the defeat a week ago, Söderholm said, “a lot has developed” for his people: “We know what we didn’t do well and why we justifiably lost . “The games against the United States, Latvia and now Switzerland have confirmed that the maturing process is progressing.
“We are on a different level today and we know that we have to be better than in the first game against Finland,” said Söderholm, calling the 28 players he selected “great role models”. They are all “athletes who can be seen” and represent “many values” with which they set a first-class example for future generations – not only in ice hockey.
“We have the chance to achieve great things,” said Marco Nowak, who, with his assist, contributed a part to Tom Kühnhackl’s goal in the second period against Switzerland. The moments afterwards, when Marcel Noebels had brought the race to catch up with the tenth penalty, described the Dresden native as “total emotional chaos”.
Draisaitl was supposed to stay in Edmonton
There were scenes of enthusiasm among adult men that he had never experienced before. “It was amazing. You could see that the team never gave up. We put everything in and in the end we were rewarded for it. And of course the joy was enormous. Those were feelings that cannot be described, ”said the defense attorney.
Leon Draisaitl is also impressed by the way the Germans are going without him. The NHL star is missing in Riga. Although the Edmonton Oilers were eliminated in the fight for the Stanley Cup, he did not make the trip as a successor – unlike storm colleague Dominik Kahun. Draisaitl was one of the defining faces of the Canadian organization, and he had been signaled by the club that it was expected that he, like Connor McDavid, would initially deal with the disappointing play after the 4-0 defeat against the Winnipeg Jets -offs had to be available on site as a discussion partner.
Draisaitl did as he was told and is now absent from a World Cup for the first time in six years. But he is one of the team’s fans on screen. He even sees the opportunity to win the sensational gold medal. “The way the tournament has gone so far, everything is possible,” said the 25-year-old in an interview with Sport1. “At the moment I don’t see any big favorites who are significantly better than the other teams.” In the second semifinals, the United States will meet Canada this Saturday (1:15 pm at Sport1).
Against Finland, “shape of the day, will and the necessary luck decide,” said Draisaitl. “I watched every game the boys played at home in Edmonton on TV,” said the Cologne native: “There are some of my closest friends in the national team I’m in contact with them almost every day. They also regularly receive their congratulatory messages. “Draisaitl is enthusiastic about the team spirit,” everyone gives everything and plays tactically disciplined. “On the spectacular sunk penalty for striker Marcel Noebels in the quarter-finals Against Switzerland, the NHL star said: “I’ll just say two words: Cool move!”
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