The German U20 national team has received the next lesson at the Ice Hockey World Championships in Canada and after the third clap in the fifth game, the journey home begins.
The DEB team lost 1:11 (0:3, 0:5, 1:3) to the USA in the quarterfinals in Moncton. Previously, the team of national coach Tobias Abstreiter had no chance in the group stage against world record holders Canada (2:11) and the Czech Republic (1:8).
“It was very good that we reached our internal goal, the quarter-finals,” Abkampfer said despite the clear defeat: “Of course it’s a bitter end when you are eliminated in the quarter-finals, with no chance and hardly any resistance. But I think the positive outweighs the negative.”
After just nine minutes, the DEB selection was 0:3 behind before the USA spoiled the result. Luca Hauf (57th) scored the consolation goal for 1:11 minutes before the final siren.
DEB sporting director Christian Künast drew an overall positive balance, but saw a lot of room for improvement for the future.
As a surprise or even a sensation, the youngsters “simply lacked a lot,” said the former ice hockey goalkeeper: “The analysis after the tournament will also show aspects where we are not at an international level at the level necessary to be successful – but that’s part of addressing these points if you want to improve.”
DEB coach Abkampfer had set the minimum goal to be a top eight team before the tournament. The German U20 selection had already progressed to the quarter-finals at the last World Cup.
