0: 1 on outsider Slovakia – Swiss capital’s false start at U-20 World Cup – sport

• The opening match of the U-20 World Cup in Edmonton ends with great disappointment for Switzerland.
• Instead of a Christmas present, the result is a late 0-1 loss to Slovakia.
• Since the opponent is not one of the favorites of the group, the quarterfinals are now a great challenge.

Swiss coach Marco Bayer declared that the first group stage match against Slovakia was a “game to be won”. But his protégés failed this endurance test. At the end of the game they were unable to shake off their initial nervousness and thus were unable to implement the demands of their coach in the opening game in Edmonton, Canada.

A long test of patience became a bitter brake: Roman Faith scored the winning goal for the Slovaks in the 55th minute. A rebound landed right in front of the 18-year-old’s skates. Somehow this result had come about. Because the Swiss ice hockey U-20 team never found the right kick, this against an opponent who had been dismantled by the Czechs 0: 6 in their only game to prepare for the World Cup.

Received too many penalties

The Bayer team often seemed lost in the empty Rogers Place, especially in the third part of the start, and were undisciplined several times. The Swiss had to defend themselves three times in the first 20 minutes. With a 5:12 shooting ratio, Thibault Fatton, who was surprisingly preferred in goal, kept his colors in the game.

After the first break, the Swiss were somewhat improved and consolidated. Simon Knak, the captain and an obvious asset on the ice, as well as Gaétan Jobin missed their best chances against an unexpectedly powerful opponent.

Tasks don’t get easier

Even in the finals, Rot-Weiss had two promising chances after slapping himself on the neck in the power play. Defender Iñaki Baragano (57th) gave the best chance to equalize 1-1. He had an empty goal in front of him, but missed due to the spectacular deflection of Slovak goalkeeper Simon Latkoczy.

For the extra workload with treacherous tasks against Finland, hosts Canada and Germany, an increase in performance is essential. If a blow occurs against the Finns, who have won the title 3 times in the last 7 world championships, the quarter-final chances would be intact again. Either way, the test of strength with Germany will now be the key game.