Germany loses to the Czech Republic: Ice hockey women miss the World Cup semi-finals

The German ice hockey women narrowly missed the World Cup semi-finals. National coach Jeff MacLeod’s team lost against the clearly favored Czechs on Thursday in Utica, USA, 0-1 (0-0, 0-0, 0-1) despite an outstanding goalkeeper Sandra Abstreiter.

After the best World Cup group phase to date with four successes, Germany showed itself to be self-confident and combative. The MacLeod team was also dangerous in front of the opponent’s goal and had some good opportunities. As recently as November 2023, the DEB selection had absolutely no chance in the 8-0 debacle against the Czech Republic at the Germany Cup.

Deniers in exceptional form

Once again, goalkeeper Abstreiter was in exceptional form. The 25-year-old, who is the only German player for Ottawa in the newly founded North American professional league, saved her team from conceding a goal with numerous saves. In the second third, the goalkeeper made several brilliant clearances against Czechs who were standing freely in front of her.

The DEB selection was lucky after 51 minutes. The trio of referees decided on a goal for the Czech Republic. After studying the video it became clear: the puck hit the crossbar. Two minutes later, Daniela Pejšová was able to overcome the outstanding defender with a shot. The German captain Daria Gleissner missed the best chance to equalize five minutes before the end: her attempt hit the post.

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The German men also lost. The World Cup runner-up lost to the World Cup hosts 0:3 (0:1, 0:1, 0:1) in the first test match in preparation for the World Cup in the Czech Republic (May 10th to 26th) on Thursday in Karlovy Vary. On Saturday (5:10 p.m. at MagentaSport) the two nations will meet for the second time.

Without some top performers who are still active in the playoffs and who joined the team during the preparation, national coach Harold Kreis’ team showed some good approaches. In particular, the defense around the strong goalkeeper Tobias Ancicka from the Kölner Haien was in good shape. However, in front of the six-time world champion’s goal, the DEB selection appeared too harmless.

Four phases in preparation

Despite being outnumbered, the Czech Republic took a 1-0 lead through David Tomášek (13th minute). The 28-year-old also scored the only goal in the second third. The Czechs outplayed the German defense and Tomášek only had to push the puck over the line (34′). Keeper Ancicka prevented the third goal from being conceded several times in the final period. Shortly before the end, Kreis brought another skater onto the ice for goalkeeper Ancicka. But Tomášek scored his third goal to make the final score 0-3.

The national coach divided the preparation for the World Cup in the Czech Republic into four phases. The two international matches against the World Cup hosts are followed by home games against Slovakia (April 18th and 20th) and Austria (April 25th and 27th). The World Cup squad should be together in the fourth phase. After the games against France on May 4th and 6th, the DEB selection will travel to Ostrava in the Czech Republic on May 7th. The World Cup starts for Germany on May 10th against Slovakia.