Three years after a sensational Bronze medal in Sochi, the Olympics are once again at the center of attention for our national team. This time, however, the Swiss team first has to concentrate on the upcoming Qualification Tournament. On paper and according to the IIHF World Ranking, the Swiss and the Czech national team have to be the favorites to win this tournament and earn a coveted ticket to PyongChang.
National team coach Daniela Diaz has chosen a pragmatic approach that should lead her team to the Olympics. “We are ready. It’s our goal to stay in the moment, to not look too far ahead, and to take it shift by shift, game by game. We will work hard and play with passion, pride, and enthusiasm.”
Captain Livia Altmann underlines that the team spirit is another important element: “We have grown closer together since the last tournament in January. This is visible on the ice, too. I am confident that we can reach our goal and qualify for the Olympics.” Diaz and Altmann, who grew up in Arosa, also want to count on the support of the spectator. “Arosa is a ‘hockey village,’ and I know how enthusiastic the fans are," Altmann adds.
“We will not make the mistake and underrate one of our three opponents,” Diaz tells. “Both Norway and Denmark have good teams with strong players that play in the Swedish league.” However, the two Scandinavian teams belong to the Division 1. Czechia, on the other hand, is also part of the Top Division and all match-ups against tend to be tight battles. At the past World Championship in Kamloops, the Czechs beat Switzerland 3-1 and managed to qualify for the Quarterfinals. In the preparation tournaments this season, both teams have won one game each.
Goaltenders (3): Vanessa Bolinger (98, SC Reinach), Andrea Brändli (97, Neuchâtel Hockey Academy/ Hockey Thurgau Young Lions). Florence Schelling (89, Linköping HC, SWE)
Defenders (7): Livia Altmann (94, Colgate University, USA), Laura Benz (92, ZSC Lions), Nicole Bullo (87, HC Lugano), Sarah Forster (93, Neuchâtel Hockey Academy), Christine Meier (86, ZSC Lions), Reica Staiger (96, ZSC Lions), Sabrina Zollinger (93, ZSC Lions)
Forwards (11): Tess Allemann (98, BOMO Thun/SCL Young Tigers), Alina Müller (98, EHC Kloten), Evelina Raselli (92, HC Lugano), Lisa Rüedi (00, EHC Dübendorf), Dominique Rüegg (96, ZSC Lions), Phoebe Staenz (94, Yale University, USA), Lara Stalder (94, University of Minnesota Duluth, USA), Anja Stiefel (Luleå HF, SWE), Sandra Thalmann (92, SC Reinach), Isabel Waidacher (94, ZSC Lions), Nina Waidacher (92, ZSC Lions)
Games
Thursday, February 9, 4.00 PM: Denmark vs Switzerland
Saturday, February 11, 4.00 PM: Switzerland vs Norway
Sunday, February 12, 4.00 PM: Switzerland vs Czechia
Last Update: 09 February 2017, 12:09 PM | bsc
