Noebels' Return: Germany's hopes in the World Cup fight flared up!
Noebels' Return: Germany's hopes in the World Cup fight flared up!
Dänemark, Land - Marcel Noebels was reactivated to lead the German ice hockey team to the quarter-finals of the EISHockey World Championship. This decision by the German Ice Hockey Association (DEB) follows the violation of Lukas Reichel, which left a vacancy on the offensive. Noebels hopes that his return will be a positive sign for the team, especially after the two defeats against Switzerland (1: 5) and the USA (3: 6).
The next challenges on the ice are already waiting, because the team will meet the Czech Republic on Monday at 4:20 p.m. and on Tuesday on Denmark. Deb sports director Christian Künast confirmed that Noebels reacted immediately to the request after the game against the USA. In addition, NHL star Nico Sturm will not join the national team, which also complicated the situation.
return with challenges
Noebels, who had been removed from the squad before the tournament started, brings valuable experience with it, because in the past he has scored important goals in crucial games. So he decided the quarter-final match against Switzerland in 2021 with a penalty and helped to move into the semi-finals in 2023. Nevertheless, he admits that his return is associated with mental challenges and the lack of playing rhythm.
"I call for simple ice hockey, without excessive demands through high expectations," emphasizes Noebels. He does not think of an early World Cup and is convinced of the possibilities of the team. In this critical phase, it is important to focus on the next games and to take into account the mental aspects of the game. National coach Harold Kreis pointed out that despite the missing players, the team will go into the upcoming tasks with full squad strength.
psychological aspects in focus
The importance of mental strength and team spirit should not be underestimated. The DEB even integrated a sports psychologist, Tom Kossak, into the coaching and support team to prepare the players for the challenges of the World Cup. Künast and the coaching team agree that the team must be convinced that they can win when they play their game.
This World Cup is not only a challenge on the ice, but also a way for the team to confirm their achievements after the silver medal at the 2023 World Cup and the Olympic Games. The mental preparation is considered the key to success, and individual course offers for players, coaches and referees are to follow in the summer months.
Overall, the DEB team is in a tricky situation, but sees the opportunity to build on earlier successes again and to achieve the minimum goal of quarterfinals.
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