The Czech Republic, Denmark and Sweden buy tickets to Beijing 2022
After an exciting final round of Olympic women’s hockey qualifications, we officially have our field of 10 teams that will compete for the gold in Beijing! The Czech Republic, Denmark and Sweden each won their group in the qualifiers to earn the last three places in the field.
Unlike the qualifiers, which were played round-robin-style with the winner in each group going on, the Olympics will have the same format as the women’s world championships with two groups of five. Like the last three teams, the Danes, Swedes and Czechs will all play in Group B.
This is how it went in the last qualifying round.
Group C
Nov 11
Hungary 11, Poland 1
Czech Republic 3, Norway 1
Nov 13
Czech Republic 16, Poland 0
Hungary 5, Norway 3
Nov 14
Czech Republic 5, Hungary 1
Norway 7, Poland 1
Although Norway and Hungary both performed well this week, Group C was never really hesitant. The Czechs were one of the most talented teams competing in qualifying games and it showed throughout the tournament, with their 24-goal performances in three matches. Norwegian goalkeeper Ena Nystrøm made it very interesting with 40 saves in the first match, but the Czech Republic went on to win against Norway and Poland. The Czechs really won in the decisive match against Hungary. Klára Hymlárová and Aneta Tejralová both had two-point matches.
This will be the Czech Republic’s first ever appearance at the Olympics. According to the IIHF’s game summary, the team plans to centralize on January 5 to prepare.
Final position
- Czech Republic
- Hungary
- Norway
- Poland
Group D
Nov 11
Austria 3, Germany 0
Denmark 4, Italy 0
Nov 13
Germany 4, Italy 1
Denmark 1, Austria 0
Nov 14
Germany 3, Denmark 2 (SO)
Austria 6, Italy 1
It was drama from start to finish in Group D. Right from the start, Austria’s final victory over group hosts Germany – the Germans were the likely favorite to get out of the group, after advancing to the quarterfinals at the highest level. of the latest women’s worlds. But after the Danes beat Italy and took a narrow victory over Austria, Germany needed to win directly in the last match to advance. Instead, Denmark erased a 2-0 deficit thanks to goals from Malene Frandsen and Silke Glud, and after forcing the penalty shootout, that was all the Danes needed to beat their ticket.
It was a historic victory for Denmark, which will play the Olympics for the first time ever.
Final position
- Denmark
- Austria
- Germany
- Italy
Group E
Nov 11
France 4, Korea 0
Sweden 3, Slovakia 0
Nov 13
France 3, Slovakia 1
Sweden 15, Korea 0
Nov 14
Slovakia 7, Korea 1
Sweden 3, France 2
Group E came down to the last match between Sweden and France, which had six points each before Sunday. Goals by Michelle Löwenhielm and Sara Hjalmarsson gave Sweden the lead with 2-0 early in the second period. Less than four minutes later, Clara Rozier got one back for the French, but Sweden took back a two-goal lead within the first two minutes of the third period. Léa Villiot pulled France within one with less than five minutes left, but the Swedes held on to earn the victory and the final place in the Olympics. Caroline Baldin was excellent in the net for France to keep her team in it, a total of 37 saves.
Sweden is no stranger to the Olympics and finished as high as silver back in 2006, but coming back was no guarantee after their relegation from the highest division in the World Cup for women back in 2019.
Final position
- Sweden
- France
- Slovakia
- Korea
Here is the full composition of the 2022 Olympic women’s ice hockey field:
Group A: Canada, USA, Finland, Russian Olympic Committee (ROC), Switzerland
Group B: Japan, China (host), Czech Republic, Denmark, Sweden
The game starts on February 3, 2022 and runs through February 17. The complete schedule can be found here.