Switzerland’s first defeat – Latvia in the quarter-finals

Without a few star players, Switzerland lost their last group match against Latvia 3:4 after extra time at the Ice Hockey World Championships in Riga. The co-host celebrates qualifying for the quarter-finals.

60 minutes had been played, no decision had yet been made – yet Latvian sticks flew through the air and the players hugged. Point 3: 3 was enough for them to reach the quarterfinals for the first time since 2018 and for the first time on home ice (against Sweden) at the expense of Slovakia. In the majority, the extra point was taken by the Latvians after 2:25 minutes of extra time. This was the first defeat for Switzerland in this tournament.

The game, with such different omens — a sweep for the Swiss, a history-making opportunity for the Latvians — developed pretty much as expected. Playful superiority, but lack of consistency on the one hand and unconditional commitment on the other. The Latvians were willing to seize the opportunity by any means necessary, but they did so in a disciplined and non-reckless manner.

Driving in the rear freed up additional forces. Defender Ralf Freiberg scored the first goal just after the halfway start when Swiss goalkeeper Jorn van Buttelberghe was banned from making his World Cup debut. And when Kevin Fiala equalized the first goal in the tournament, the Latvian team responded after only 32 seconds after a wonderful individual performance of the Swedish mercenary Rodrigo Apollos with a score of 2: 1. After Marco Miranda equalized again at the end of the power play, the last twelve minutes became nail-biting. to the local population.

Game sounds

With five minutes remaining, former Servette and Bern striker Kaspars Daugavens made himself a hero as he leveled the Swiss side’s lead. With just 70 seconds left, Andres Ampol scored for the fourth time in this tournament.

In addition to the regular goalkeepers, national team coach Patrick Fisher has given rest to some of his team’s best players with six convincing wins and a secure set win at behind. NHL star forwards Niko Hischer, Dennis Malgin and captain Nino Niedreiter are missing. The Swiss knew before the match that they were on the Dons

Switzerland 3-4 Latvia (0-0, 1-2, 2-1, 0-1) next
Riga. 9178 spectators. SR Kaukokari / MacFarlane (FIN / USA), Mackey / Ondracek (CAN / CZE).
Portals: 22. Freiberg (Endrasis) 0: 1. 27 (26:02) Fiala (Korvi) 1-1. 27 v34:1:2 48. Miranda (Ryat and Corvi) 2-2. 54 (53:46) Abol (Viala Korvi) 3:2 55. (54:56) Daugavins (Abols, Balcers) 3:3 63. Balcers (Balinskis, Jaks/Richard Exclusion) 3:4.
punish: 6 times 2 minutes against Switzerland, 3 times 2 minutes against Latvia.
Switzerland: van Puttelberge Fora, Siegenthaler; Glauser, Moser. Lovell, Marty; Gesser Bertchy, Richard, Herzog; ampoule, corvi, viala; Simeon, Haas, Miranda, Reyat, Senteller.
Latvia: silov. Palinski, Zelle; Sapphire and sapphire. Cookst, Freibergs; Sepulskis. Daugavins, Apollos, with cherries; Desircals, Batna, Roberts Burkarats; Endrasis, Lomiles; Richard Bierkartz. Krastenburgs, Smirnov, Anderson; Golovkov.
comments: Switzerland without Genoni (substitute goalkeeper), Thorkov (injured), Meyer, Hischer, Kocan, Niedereter and Malgen (all extras), Latvia without Kennes (injured). 49. Crossbar lomelis. 62. Latvian time out.
Shots: Switzerland 32 (9-10-12-1), Latvia 28 (8-9-6-5).
Powerplay Yield: Switzerland 0/2, Latvia 1/5.

(nih/sda)

This may also interest you: