Ice field hockey World Championship group stage, Friday, 10.05.2024
Not only our basketball players caused a sensation at last year’s World Cup, but also the German ice hockey players of the DEB were able to inspire us and many millions of fans.
However, the reigning runners-up will have to play a very important match on Friday at the start of the new Ice Hockey World Cup 2024.
Meanwhile, I’ll tell you why this match in particular will be a key game and what exactly a successful Slovakia Germany betting tip could look like in my prediction for the opening game of Group B.
Germany were definitely lucky with the draw, because the really big fish are all in Group A.
Although it will still be difficult to beat Sweden and the USA in the battle to win the group, third or at least fourth place should definitely be in the cards for the DEB team.
However, the difference between these two places is by no means marginal. Because if they finish in last place, which would entitle them to take part in the knockout phase, there would be a repeat of last year’s final in the quarter-finals.
The Canadians are once again the strongest team at this tournament and, as far as I’m concerned, are already the certain winners of Group A, which the Eagles must avoid for as long as possible
And now the opening opponent comes into play! Even the German betting providers favor Germany over the runners-up in their current Slovakia odds.
This means we also know who the DEB team’s toughest opponent is in the battle for the important 3rd place and why an opening win on Friday is so important!
The Slovaks are only very slightly favored with average odds of 2.30 to 2.60, but this decision is not unfounded.
With Martin Fehervary of the Washington Capitals and Tomas Tatar of the New Jersey Devils, two Slovakian NHL players have been able to make the trip to the Czech Republic
Slovakia passed the dress rehearsal against newly promoted Poland with 6:1, but lost both test games against the host Czech Republic with 2:4 and 1:4 respectively. These results confirm my impression of where they stand in terms of performance: somewhere between world class and mediocre.
In mid-April, they also played two test matches against Germany, one of which they lost 3:7 and another of which they won 5:4. However, from a German perspective, I would look back on these results with satisfaction.
After all, they took place at a time when many of the stars from Germany and the USA were not even part of the squad. The World Cup squad has only taken its final shape in the last few days with further nominations
Compared to the previous season, DEB fans will once again have to do without Leon Draisaitl and Tim Stützle – nothing new so far!
But of course the loss of Mo Seider is devastating! My favorite player of the last World Championship is currently in an important contract negotiation with the Detroit Red Wings and can therefore not participate in the tournament for insurance reasons.
Instead, we can look forward to Philipp Grubauer, who played in the NHL playoffs with the Seattle Kraken last year.
Seider will also be replaced on defense by Maksymilian Szuber, a similar type of player who has a bright future ahead of him and is currently still mainly playing for the Tucson Roadrunners in the AHL.
Overall, this is certainly a good squad that features many stars from the last World Championship
I’m less worried about the nominations than I am about the recent results.
The dress rehearsal against France a few days ago was a success thanks to a 4:3 win in overtime, but the game before that against the French (3:5) and another test game against Austria were both lost (1:2).
Of course, a few superstars have joined the team since then, which is why I expect a successful opening game, but this team is certainly not as well-rehearsed as it was last year just before the start of the tournament
My very hot Slovakia Germany tip that you can add to your ice hockey bet: A goal from JJ Peterka!
The young NHL player from the Sabres has improved this season and has now scored 28 goals for Buffalo after 12 goals in his rookie season.
In addition, he scored 12 points in 10 World Championship games in a DEB jersey last year, which were equally divided between goals and assists.
Together with Nico Sturm, the young USA international should quickly push the Slovakian defense to its limits.
Conclusion: It really is a game on a knife-edge, but its outcome is also incredibly important with regard to the knockout phase.
If Moritz Seider were back, I would clearly side with the DEB selection at the odds currently being traded on the betting markets by the sports betting providers.
However, as the conditions for preparing for this tournament were rather suboptimal this time, it could be tight.
Slovakia are also keen to prove themselves and will make a furious start to this game, but ultimately I’m putting my faith in the runners-up and JJ Peterka’s magic trowel.
My Slovakia Germany tip: DC X2 on the DEB selection!
