Umeå – The game between Sweden and Finland turned out a real super match which Sweden won with 6-3. Daniel Thorsson in the Swedish team was the player of the match and scored two times and served his team mates 2 times. Meanwhile, Czech Republic beat Japan by 33-1, and Austria lost to Norway by 3-7.
Only two games were played in the women’s group today. Czech Republic that still has not lost to anyone won against Finland (5-1), and has made it to the final before playing Sweden on the group stage. The Swedes won against Switzerland by 5-2. Tomorrow we will know what nation will play the final, however it seems tough for any other team to threaten Sweden.
The last round of the men’s group stage will reveal what teams that will play for gold on Sunday afternoon. When Finland and Czech Republic fight for a ticket to the final, Norway will play for the bronze medal regardless of today’s result. Japan and Austria both will fight for their first victory in the tournament when they face each other, and will meet again tonight in the match for 5th and 6th place at Gammliahallen.
Interview with Dr Daniel Zacek, Head of Czech Delegation
Two years from now, the next WUC Floorball will take place in Prague. During the Czech women’s game against Finland, the OC had a chat with Dr Daniel Zacek, Czech Head of Delegation. – That will be the first time this event will be held in a capital city. The Swedish organizers have done a good job, and I think every country’s OC learn from the previous ones and develop the tournament a little more. Umeå is not only known for floorball but is also a student city, and there are so many students engaged in this. It’s a student spirit around the tournament, and I think it’s nice to see how the university supports the event. The players really enjoy being here too! – It is also great that even small floorball countries like Japan participate, I think that’s important.
On the first day of competition, the Czech men’s team showed the spectators that it is able to fight until the very last second, when they scored twice within the last 40 seconds of the game. The draw against Sweden was a surprise to many, but not to Daniel: – The men’s team came here with high self-confidence, all players except one or two play in the Czech national team. There’s a new generation coming, that plays with confidence and don’t feel second to others. Floorball is becoming a big sport in the Czech Republic, for the young generation – those under 18 – it’s the number two sport. Last time the men won the silver and we came here to fight for the gold. Daniel thought that the 6-6 result against Sweden was fair for both teams – Czech Republic should not be underestimated. – People came up and congratulated us, but we didn’t win…
Daniel enjoyed today’s Umeå weather and smiled when he told me that there was no use for the winter jackets he and the teams had brought. 20 degrees and sun came as a nice early weekend surprise, and Daniel had more reasons to be happy when the women’s game ended 5-1, which means that the Czech women will play the final on Saturday.
(Source: Amanda Lundmark, OC 2010 WUC Floorball)
