SINGAPORE, 6 December 2023 – The quarter-final line-up for the Women’s World Floorball Championships (WFC) 2023 is locked in, after a thrilling day at the OCBC Arena in which there were exhilarating contests, dramatic comebacks, and tears of joy and heartbreak. Poland overcame a 3-1 deficit to defeat Germany 4-3 (overtime), while Denmark also recorded a 4-3 victory over Norway in overtime on Wednesday (6 December). Latvia and Slovakia also won their respective play-off games over Japan and hosts Singapore to reach the last eight. Finland, Switzerland, Sweden and Czech Republic qualified directly for the quarter-finals earlier this week.

The quarter-finals take place on 7 and 8 December.

The results from Dec 6 are as follows

Estonia v Australia

Estonia and Australia made a fiery start to the game, with both sides coming out aggressively from the get-go but it was Estonia who ultimately prevailed 5-0. Neither could find the net despite multiple scoring attempts until the 17th minute, when Milja Alanka swatted the ball neatly into the net. Estonia doubled their lead just 54 seconds later through Piret Puidak to go 2-0 up entering the second period. Australia continued to press their opponents but could not find a way past. A missed penalty by Australia in the second period, coupled with goals from Edith Parnik, Diana Klavan and Sharlote Marleen Koverik, sealed the win for Estonia. Estonia face USA in the play-off for 13th place, while Australia will play France for 15th.

France v USA

Both teams were evenly matched in the first few minutes until the USA were rewarded for dominating possession. Rising star Klara Kyrk Gere netted her sixth goal of the tournament, beating French goalkeeper Zuzana Kandrikova from close range. The USA doubled their lead early in the second period after Kandrikova spilled Marie Häggström’s shot. They added a third in the final minute through Selma Johansson only for France captain Pauline Meneust to pull one back 30 seconds later. Johansson then scored her second goal of the match in the opening stages of the third period to regain her side’s three-point lead. The USA will next go for 13th place against Estonia, to whom they lost 9-3 in the group stage. France are still seeking their first win at their Women’s WFC debut and will get another chance against Australia in the 15th -place play-off also on Thursday.

Latvia v Japan

A strong start proved crucial for Latvia in their 8-5 victory over Japan to secure a place in the WFC 2023 quarter-finals. After quickly establishing a three-goal lead before Japan responded through forward Yu Abe, Evelina Garbare’s flick past Japan goalkeeper Miko Yamanaka made it 4-1 to Latvia at the end of the first 20 minutes. But a determined Japan side were not going to fade away quietly, as Rei Goto scored two minutes into the second period. A solo effort from teenager Rimi Motoki narrowed the deficit to one, but Latvia quickly retaliated with two goals from forward Simona Grapena. Motoki then displayed another flash of brilliance with a stunning long range shot to make the score 6-4, only for Latvia to extend their advantage to 7-4. Both teams maintained their intensity in the third period, but Latvia’s Marta Drille capitalised on a flubbed pass widen her side’s lead. Though Natsumi Yokota pulled one back for Japan in the 54th minute, Latvia were too far ahead and the final whistle sealed their spot in the last eight. They will face defending champions Sweden on Thursday (7 December), while Japan face Singapore in the placement match for 9th -12th position.

Norway v Denmark

An exhilarating play-off between long-time rivals Denmark and Norway saw the former emerge victorious after trailing by a goal three times and scoring the golden goal in overtime to reach the last eight of the WFC 2023. In a topsy-turvy game at the OCBC Arena, Norway drew first blood through Rikke Ingebrigtsli Hansen after four minutes before Frida Josefine Keller equalised for Denmark six minutes later. Norway’s relentless attacking was finally rewarded as Hansen again beat Danish goalkeeper Mette Thorsager Jensen 30 seconds from time. In the second period, it was instead Denmark who laboured to equal things again and their efforts paid off through Sara Mainz Olsson’s goal after 32 minutes. Hansen’s mid-range shot struck home in the top corner to give her side the lead for the third time after six minutes in the final period. But Denmark dug deep into their bag of tricks and forward Lina Voldby’s shot flew past Norway goalkeeper Maiken Ellis as the bench got to their feet, shouting in celebration. Neither side could find a winner in regulation time, resulting in the first overtime of the tournament, in which the team who scored first would win. Perhaps fuelled by her equaliser, Voldby needed just five minutes to cut in from the flank and whip the ball into goal from distance, capping a spectacular comeback for the Danes as the Norwegians crumpled to their knees in tears. This is world No. 10 Denmark’s first victory over Norway, who are three ranks higher, since 2019 and they will be looking to carry that momentum to Friday’s quarter-final against fourth-ranked Czech Republic. Meanwhile, Norway will play Germany in the placement match for 9 th -12th position on Thursday.

Poland v Germany

Poland clinched their quarter-final spot in dramatic fashion, clawing their way back from a 3-1 deficit against Germany to equalise in the final three minutes of play and force the game into overtime. The Germans scored first through captain Randi Kleerbaum, and though Maja Helman levelled the score at the end of the first period, it was the Germans who remained unshakeable in the second period. Forward Anna-Lena Best and Kleerbaum scored two more goals while goalkeeper Noora Holle was a fortress in goal as she thwarted the Poles’ attempts to score. With a 3-1 lead, Germany continued to execute their game plan to perfection for most of the third period as they held off an aggressive Poland side. But Poland’s tenacity paid off in the final few minutes – playing without a goalkeeper, Katarzyna Rajska and Gabriela Wojcik each scored a goal within a minute of each other to draw level. The match ended after 1 minute and 47 seconds of overtime, when Rajka pounced on a ball and, guiding it from the centre of the court, shot it into the net with deadly precision to secure the golden goal. Poland will face Finland in the quarter-finals, while Germany take on Norway for 9th to 12th place.

Slovakia v Singapore

A plucky performance from world No. 13 Singapore saw them fall 11-2 to world No. 6 Slovakia, but the home side have much to be proud of especially after a commendable first-period performance. Forward Siti Nurhaliza Khairul Anuar picked up Jerelee Ong’s pass before slicing through the Slovakian defence and smashing home. Singapore’s WFC 2023 debutante goalkeeper Shazana Noor made some stunning saves against a persistent Slovakian side, but was ultimately beaten by Kristina Belicova’s midrange solo effort. Jana Troskova gave her side the lead shortly after, flicking Klara Grossova’s attempt to send Shazana the wrong way. But the hosts were not going down without a fight as forward Mindy Lim blasted the equaliser past Slovakia 22 seconds from time. That was the last goal scored by the hosts as Slovakia outmuscled and outran Singapore to score nine more goals and put the game to bed, setting up a quarter-final showdown with world No. 3 Switzerland. Singapore will play Japan in the play-off round for ninth to 12th place on Thursday.