Wehrli Brothers Snatch Fifth Place From Slovakia Late, Swiss Win In OT

Goals and assists

21. Martinusík (Salajka), 35. Pisarovič (I. Gajdoš, Lopušan) – 40. A. Wehrli (N. Wehrli), 44. N. Wehrli (A. Wehrli), 52. Mballa (Paulik)

Referees

Adrian Goddard, Mike Grewall

Spectators

1125

Slovakia

Kučera - Dubeň, I. Gajdoš, Kozák, Lopušan, Mikula, Revaj, Salajka, Stümpel, Šulik - Balát, Benko, Hryzák, Klema, Korbáš, Lipiansky, Martinusík, Mráz, Olejník, Piják, Pisarovič, Straka, Šatka

Switzerland

Chakroun (23. Brodard) - Eberle, Grandjean, Hlubek, Iten, Mermoud, Y. Müller, Rebord, Rodrigues Soares - Bardos, Enzler, Fairclough, Filipek, Hausherr, Lartey, Mballa, K. Müller, M. Müller, T. Müller, Paulik, Rohdewald, A. Wehrli, N. Wehrli

COACHES´ REACTIONS

Milan Rampáček (SVK): “It’s a pity. We were leading 2–0, and yet we still let the game slip away. Unfortunately, we weren’t able to capitalize on the chances we had—and we had plenty of them—and the Swiss punished us for it. Unfortunately, we finished sixth, which is our worst finish ever. We must unequivocally take responsibility for that. But I have to say that the tournament started very well for us. We were an even match against Canada, and the same went for the game against the Czechs, where we didn’t lose until the shootout. Our form continued to improve, but in the quarterfinals, we let a 2–0 lead slip away. It’s a huge shame. The team definitely had the potential to do better. I’m now stepping down from the national team after four years. Ball hockey has always been a part of my life, and leading the national team was a tremendous honor for me. At the end of the day, though, it’s always the results that count, and they simply didn’t come.”

Tibor Kapánek (SUI): “It was clear that after the losses in the quarterfinals, both sides were lacking a bit of motivation. It was a very open game, with a lot of mistakes, and that’s why the goalies stood out. When we then gave up a goal to make it 0–2 in the third period, I had all sorts of thoughts. But I told the guys that now was the time to give it our all, because any tournament you finish with a win feels completely different and gives you more for the future. We managed to tie it up, and in overtime it was a real battle. In the end, luck was on our side, for which we’re all very grateful. But that doesn’t change the fact that we wanted to achieve a little more here.”