WFC 2015 Group D Team Presentations – 26.11.2015

Group D with Russia, Slovakia, Netherlands and USA can be an exciting World Floorball Championships Group.

The battle between Russia (ranked 10th) and Slovakia (ranked 11th) is going to be tight. In the last WFC Slovakia was better by two goals in their placement match and took the 9th place (rankings based on two previous WFCs).

Netherlands (ranked 14th) and USA (ranked 16th) were last seen in the WFC Final Round in 2011. Netherlands was placed 13th, which has been their best placement so far and USA took the 9th place by beating Russia in the placement match.

The teams placed 1st and 2nd in group C and D make it to the first playoff round (played before the quarter-finals). More on the tournament format found here: www.wfc2015.fi/pages/EN/Tournament

Russia
Team Russia’s aim is to demonstrate national team capacity and efficiency during the tournament and also to take the fifth place. The team has worked hard and states that they want to play their A-game in every match. It’s important for Russians to be a part of the international floorball community.
Players to watch:
Mariia Okulova: Fast thinking and fast running forward who is an international level player.
Natalia Zhuravleva: Very good defender who succeeds also in the offensive zone.
Svetlana Viktorova: Skilful player with the best shot and game sense.

#11 M. Okulova

#13 N. Zhuravleva

#59 S. Viktorova

Slovakia
Slovakia wants to play attractive and fast floorball in order to reach their goal: the quarter-finals. Though the team is pretty young, they believe in their strength and will battle until the last whistle.
Players to watch:
Lucia Košturiaková: Top player with the most international experience. Soul of the team.
Denisa Ferenčíková: Has a great overview of the game and fights for every ball on the field.
Alžbeta Ďuríková: Young, talented and fast defender with big potential.

#24 L. Kosturiakova

#10 D. Ferencikova

#29 A. Durikova

Netherlands
By beating Estonia in a thrilling last qualification match, Netherlands proved that they are a team of strong character. The team has a mixture of national team veterans and some fairly new players. Though it will be tough, their main objective is to reach the top eight.
Players to watch:
Maaike Moes: One of the youngest players in the team who has a great technique. Plays smart, fast and is able to turn the game in an instant.
Willemijn Vroege: New captain who plays in Switzerland. Works hard on and off the field and has a huge passion for the sport.
Simone Palstra: Really physical player who grabbed a floorball stick for the first time only 1,5 years ago, but impresses already.

#9 M. Moes

#16 W. Vroege

#12 S. Palstra

USA
After their 2013 break, team USA is returning to the WFC with a good mixture of experienced and new players. Their goal is to play the tournament game by game and make use of the outsider-bonus.
Players to watch:
Michelle Linhart: Very athletic and skilful player with a great shot.
Marie Häggström: Skilful and experienced centre who knows how to make points.
Erin Carr: Really fast and strong defender who has a great eye for the game.