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FIN - SUI 8-7 after shootout Finland with nerves of steelThe game for third place ended with a dramatic shootout. Once again, the Finns gave away their lead in the final phase; it’s the third time in this WFC in Switzerland. However, they kept the better nerves in the shootout drama and won the bronze medal. The game took off in a totally different manner than in Thursday’s game of the preliminary round between the same teams. Swiss Head Coach Urban Karlsson only made small changes to his lines, whereas Finnish Head Coach completely jumbled his lines. The Finns had learned from their shocking defeat and started with aggressive forechecking. This forced the Swiss to actively integrate their goalkeeper Daniel Streit, playing his first WFC-game, into their game. Streit did a good a job with precise and wide throw outs reaching the Swiss offenders. Switzerland had a disastrous first period. All four goals against them were due to mistakes of their own and a passive defense. At least, the Finns also had troubles in their defense and got two goals against. Hofbauers' big showThe Swiss team acted more concentrated in the second period. After 22 minutes, Matthias Hofbauer scored on a power-play to make it a 4-3 game. Roger Gerber, who was playing in the same line, achieved the tie shortly thereafter. The tie only lasted 15 seconds since Finnish offender Hannes Öhman took over the lead for his team. This was Öhman’s first ball contact in this match. Coach Tilander didn’t let him play until then. With Lehtonen’s goals to the 6-4 and 7-4 shortly before and after the second break, the game seemed to be over for the Swiss team. Jari-Pekka Lehtonen was the best Finnish player. He played center in this game and scored three goals. He is also Finnish record holder for international game participation, normally defenseman and was voted into the WFC-All-Star team. “After the seventh goal, I actually believed in our victory,” Finland’s head coach Pasi Tilander says. He didn’t think the Hofbauer brothers would thwart, and chase after, them with ten minutes left in the last period. Christoph Hofbauer (51.) on a power play after incorrect substitution by Finland and twice his amazing brother Matthias Hofbauer tied the score. Nobody had believed in it. The crowd aroused once again after the bad atmosphere in the Schluefweg. The fans cheered for their team, which managed a top put-out. Matthias Hofbauer’s scores didn’t come too early: The top scorer (23 points) shot his goals with 78 and 21 seconds left in the last period. As in the game against Switzerland in the preliminary round and the semi final game against Sweden, Finland lost their lead during the last minutes. Goal or no goalOver time kicked off with a hit on the bar by Christoph Hofbauer. It wasn’t quite clear if the ball landed behind or in front of the goal line. The Swedish referee decided in Finland’s favour. During the shootout, Switzerland didn’t stand a chance. Täkhä, Kohonen, Karppannen and Koskelainen scored one after each other, whereas the only Swiss scorer was Matthias Hofbauer. Swiss Head Coach Urban Karlsson knew about his team’s weakness in taking penalty shots: We are not the best in scoring in a shootout. With two minutes left in the game, we even discussed substituting our goaltender so that we can play with a sixth player and do everything we can to score. Neither of the two head coaches is satisfied with its team’s final place at this WFC. “Third place isn’t enough. We absolutely wanted to rank first,” Finnish Head Coach Pasi Tilander explains after the game, dealing with his disappointment. Urban Karlsson was “very disappointed” as well.
Opinions on the game SUI-FIN(Pasi Tilander, head coach for team Finnland) "The Swiss played very well in front of our goal. With the score 7:7 everything was possible again, the Swiss problably even had a psychological advantage. Of course we are happy to win 3rd place, though our goal was the World Champion title, and that is why we are overall disappointed. To win this tournament we would have had to win against Sweden, but we failed to achieve that this year again." (Urban Karlsson, Trainer Schweiz) "We fought very well today, but not good enough. The Finns were always in the lead and it was difficult for us to constantly keep up with the result. That we didn't get a medal for the first time since 1996, was a very big disappointment. We performed well in this tournament, but that is just not enough for a medal. That we are not the best in penalty shooting, we knew before the tournament.... I would like to thank the Organizing committee for this excellent tournament, this occasion was great publicity for floorball. I would also like to thank the super audience for supporting us, for me and the players it was an amazing experience." 
5th WFC 2004, placement game, place 3 Schluefweg Kloten Scorers: 8. Karppanen (Hintikka) 1:0, 13. Neimo (Kohonen) 2:0, 13. Cadisch (Bichsel) 2:1, 18. Sandström (Lehtonen) 3:1, 19. Engel (Bill) 3:2, 20. Lehtonen (Hintikka) 4:2,23. Hofbauer M. (Kaltenbrunner) 4:3, 35. Gerber II (Hofbauer M.) 4:4, 36. Öhman (Neimo) 5:4, 38. Lehtonen (Hintikka) 6:4, 42. Lehtonen (Karppanen) 7:4, 51. Hofbauer Chr. (Kaltenbrunner) 7:5, 58. Hofbauer M. (Hofbauer Chr.) 7:6, 59. Hofbauer M. (Gerber II) 7:7 Penaltie shots: Tähkä 1:0, Riedel verschiesst, Kohonen 2:0, Engel verschiesst, Karppanen 3:0, Hofbauer 3:1, Koskelainen 4:1 Penalties: Finland 2 x 2", Switzerland none Remarks: 61. crossbar shot Hofbauer Chr.; Best player Finland Lehtonen J.P., Switzerland Hofbauer Matthias |
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