The German ice hockey team was very relieved about the successful World Cup dress rehearsal. "That's always important for morale," said national coach Harold Kreis after the narrow 4-3 win after extra time against France. "We're going to Ostrava with a good feeling."

In the third largest city in the Czech Republic, the vice world champions in Group B will play against Slovakia at the end of the week. "The last World Cup is over, the preparation is over. On Friday we are now looking forward to the first game at this World Cup," explained captain Moritz Müller.

With three wins from eight test matches, the preparation was not necessarily convincing. The defense was too flawed and the strikers missed too many chances. “Better now than at the beginning of the tournament,” said Kreis. “It was a good lesson for the World Cup, because mistakes are punished immediately,” added veteran Müller.

Master players strengthen the team

The DEB selection can rely on the Berlin master players, who played for the DEB selection last night for the first time after the Eisbären won the title. Leonhard Pföderl scored twice against France in Weißwasser and also demonstrated his top form for the national team. Frederik Tiffels was also successful. The defense around Jonas Müller and Kai Wissmann has also received a boost in quality. “They are fantastic players. They are an asset to the team,” explained Kreis.

The 65-year-old is also hoping for another NHL player: Lukas Reichel. “We hope to have clarity soon,” said the national coach. The 21-year-old did not make it into the NHL playoffs with the Chicago Blackhawks and was subsequently eliminated from the playoffs of the second-tier AHL with the Rockford IceHogs farm team.