The Slovaks started preparation for the World Championships in the Hockey 2025 loss

Herisau. Slovak hockey players did not know the feeling of loss since August last year.

Gradually, they won the 2026 Winter Olympics, the German Cup, the Christmas Kaufland Cup and two wins were added to their account in February during the Fortuna Classic. The representation did not have such a cord yet.

The winning series ended at number 10. The Slovaks succumbed to Switzerland 3: 4 after overtime.

« Once it had to come. Maybe better now than during the World Championship in hockey. It was a tough match for Slovak hockey players. The Swiss were fast and physical. They literally put us on their ass several times, » said JOJ Plus Expert Rastislav Konečný.

Országh: Great Skoda

Slovaks at the beginning Preparations for the World Championship They must do without the helmsman Craig Ramsay. The role of the head coach was taken over by Vladimír Országh, a former national assistant.

« I felt fine. At the beginning I was, of course, nervous, but it fell completely after the first bull, » the temporary coach described his debut.

A new coach with a rejuvenated selection came to the Swiss village of Herisau. General manager Miroslav Šatan nominated up to four newcomers.

« We have tried many young players who still have to identify with the system. But for them it is extremely valuable experience, » said coach Országh after the match for JOJ Plus.

The Slovaks started actively. The duel score has changed after less than four minutes.

The mistake of a young Swiss defender was punished by Robert Lantoši, who found in front of the goal of the uncovered Matej Kašlík. He overcame the goalkeeper Leonard Genoni.

« We scored the opening goal after the work we want to see regularly. Great challenge and quick ending, » said Konečný.

VIDEO: Matej Kašlík’s goal to 1: 0

But the second period did not work out the Slovaks according to the ideas. They had to wait for more than nine minutes for the shot.

The Swiss had a better movement, won the fights, which the hockey players paid under the Tatras. Thanks to Marc Marchon, the home team equalized.

The only bright moment was offered by the guests in the 31 minutes, when Jakub Minárik succeeded in the power play after a nice pass of Maxim Čajkovič.

The cabins were in a balanced state. The Swiss’s activity was transformed into a goal of Sven Senteler.

Even in the third part, the Slovaks were the first to score. The second precise intervention was cough. However, the Swiss responded in less than two minutes by Daria Simiono and the match was heading for overtime.

Dario Rohrbach decided to win the « Helvets » at 3 minutes.

« A great pity. We have been able to equalize three times, but the Swiss has always been able to equalize. We made a mistake in the overtime. Unfortunately, it is, » said Coach Országh.

In his words, the Slovaks did a good job, but in places they had « many deaf moments ».

« We have to play easier, get pucks out of the band and help each other. There were situations in which we must be more active. In attacking, but also in doubling in the defense zone, so we have something to work on, » the coach noted.

Pleased the first attack

When Matej Kašlík introduced himself for the last time in the national team, he was injured. During the Christmas Kaufland Cup in a match with Norway (3: 1) he injured his shoulder and had to undergo surgery.

He dropped out of the competition carousel for two months. After returning to the most valuable jersey he scored twice. Against Switzerland he became a player of the match on the Slovak side.

« The match was casual on our side. We have to run our feet more. The Swiss skated well and were a bit better than we do, » he said in a mixer for JOJ Plus.

Kašlík started in the first formation alongside Lantoši and Krištof. The offensive trio took care of two goals of Slovakia and scored four points.

« The goals were pleased, but it could also be better on my part, » Kašlík added.

Slovaks will have the opportunity to retaliate on Friday, from 19:45 they will face the same opponent. JOJ Plus is broadcast live.

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