From qualification to World Championships: Americas and AOFC – 20.11.2017

National teams from all over the world had to compete qualifications apart from host-country Slovakia. In the first part, we focus on Americas and AOFC.

WFC – Americas Qualifier, Ontario, Canada

Two countries, and one place at WFC 2017. Canada and USA played two games during qualification days in Cornell Community Centre Markham in Ontario. The first confrontation won floorball players from USA 9:5. Both Christine Lindberg and Marie Haggstrom scored four goals. The second match was draw 6:6. Thanks to positive score team USA qualified to the WC 2017 in Bratislava. Lindberg, Haggstrom and also Adelia Pennisi controlled the individual statistics.

Final standings:
1.USA – qualified
2. Canada


WFC – Asia and Oceania, Wellington, New Zealand

Eight countries wanted to show their qualities in Bratislava, but there were only four places at the World Championships. In this type of qualification, teams are divided into two groups – A and B. 1st in group A and B progressed to the semifinals and qualified directly to the WC. 2nd in each group played quarter final against the 3rd placed team from the other group. The winners of these duels qualified to Bratislava.

Japan won the AOFC qualification by five victories in a row. Yui Goto was an important part of Japanese success. She scored six goals and Goto became the second best player in this qualification with ten points.

Australia started the qualification against Thailand and players around Neil Anderes won this match 6:1. The second opponent for Australia was China. The last team in the final ranking of this qualification was defeated 0:26. However Australia qualified directly to the WC, it lost the final match against Japan 0:4 during qualification.

Another country with participation in Bratislava is Singapore. The team consists of veterans and young players finished the qualification on the third place. Singapore was successful against Republic of Korea (5:3), Malaysia (8:0), New Zealand (7:1) and Thailand (6:3). Floorball players around coach Louise Khng lost games against Japan (2:3) and Australia after penalty shots (1:2).

Thailand is a debutant in the World Championships in Bratislava. This country has never qualified for the World Championships before. Thai Floorball Federation refers only 400 licensed players. Thailand progressed from the group B as the second best team. Thai players challenged Republic of Korea in the quarter final and they were successful thanks to triumph 5:4. Thailand lost the game for the third place against Singapore (3:6). But the fourth position ensured the final tournament.

Final standings:
1.Japan – qualified
2.Australia – qualified
3.Singapore – qualified
4.Thailand – qualified
5.Republic of Korea
6.New Zealand
7.Malaysia
8.China