“Germany beats USA in dramatic World Championship semi-final and advances to first final in 68 years”

Germany qualified for the final of the World Championship in Tampere (Finland) on Saturday after beating the United States (4-3 aet) in the semis. For the title, the German selection will play Sunday (7:20 p.m.) against Canada, winner of Latvia (4-2) earlier. For Germany, this is a historic date. The last time she finished in one of the first two places in a World Cup was in 1953. And it was a final group (Germany has never been world champion).

2-0 for USA after four minutes

The Germans also achieved the performance of reaching the final, after losing their first three World Cup matches, in the group stage (against Sweden, Finland and … the USA). They also had a bad start to their half, finding themselves trailing 0-2 after four minutes, following goals from Alex Tuch (Buffalo Sabres) and Rocco Grimaldi. But Daniel Fischbuch (13th), following a poorly controlled puck by the American goalkeeper, and Maksymilian Szuber (17th) revived the German team.

In the second half, the USA were first denied a goal, Grimaldi’s shot, slowed down by the German goalkeeper, did not cross the line. But, a few minutes later (29th), Michael Eyssimont (Tampa Bay Lightning) restored the advantage to the United States. And for almost the entire last period, they have maintained this lead.

Noebels and Tiffels, the German heroes

Until Marcel Noebels equalized less than a minute and a half from the buzzer, after his goalkeeper left his cage empty. Then, at the end of extra time, Frederik Tiffels offered his team qualification. He overflowed the entire left side of the ice, before scoring with a superb cross shot. Five years after being silver medalist at the Olympic Games in Pyeongchang, the German team is at least guaranteed to get back on an international podium.

For the United States, the disappointment is immense. It was the last team still undefeated in this World Cup. The Americans had also offered an attractive game. However, they will have to remobilize quickly. Sunday (2:20 p.m.), they will face Latvia, a surprise guest in the last four (a first for them, at the Olympic Games or the World Cup), for the bronze medal. And Latvians will be fiercely motivated.