WC under 20 years: The big favorite from Sweden was worried about the result, the Germans remained among the elite – Other – Hockey

The key phase of the World Cup in hockey under 20 years has started in full swing. The Swedish juniors did not allow the sensation to be at their expense and advanced to the semi-finals after a 3:2 victory over Latvia. A surprise was looming in the fight to stay among the elite. Kazakhstan already won by two goals over Germany, the favorite finally turned the score of the match and won 4:3 thanks to power play.

The Swedish juniors became the first semi-finalists of the U20 World Cup after an unexpectedly narrow 3:2 victory over Latvia.

On paper, the Swedes earned the weakest team from Group A by winning the last match against the Czech Republic. And in the first third they confirmed their qualities.

In the 9th minute, Forsfjäll finished off a quick action from the left side, and a minute later, Wahlber rippled the net from between the circles. At the beginning of the second period, he made it 3-0 from Edstrom’s power play. He also scored shortly after the end of another power play. However, the Latvians were called offside by the coach, which gave them new strength.

Already 21 seconds later, in the 31st minute, Eriks Mateik’s stick reduced the score to 1:3. In addition, the hero of the winning fight against Canada reduced the difference to a single goal by emphasizing in front of the goal just before the end of the second half. He scored his fifth goal in the championship.

The three crowns controlled the game in the final period, but they were unable to increase the narrow lead even thanks to the excellent catching of goalkeeper Feldbergs, who made 47 saves. In the end, Latvia tried to play without a goalkeeper, but did not create a clear chance and sent only two shots at the Swedish goalkeeper Thelin in the entire third.

The Kazakhs were close to a sensation

Kazakhstan unexpectedly took the lead in the fifth minute in the fight for retention. Ruslanulij scored from between the circles. However, the opponent answered after only eight seconds, Schäfer equalized from the stop. However, the Outsider did not let up in his activity against the Germans, before the break Sitnikov cleverly made it 2:1 by throwing it against the concrete of the goalkeeper Vieillard. And at the beginning of the second half, Gross also struck from the counterattack.

The Germans had to overcome a two-goal deficit. Two exclusions of the opponent within 16 seconds also helped them to do so. The favorite used the power play 5 on 3 and 5 on 4 and equalized at 3:3.

Special teams ended up deciding the entire dramatic game. After another Kazakh penalty, Sumpf prevailed after only five seconds.

Although the Kazakhs had the upper hand during the match and they still had 16 minutes left to equalize, Germany controlled the end of the match and, just like a year ago against Norway (5:4 pp), managed to save the game.