World runners-up Germany with a successful start to the World Cup?

Germany is determined to top the surprise success of the last World Championship! Easier said than done – after all, the DEB team will be up against some top-class opponents in Group B in the preliminary round. First up, however, is Slovakia. In terms of title chances, the Slovakian national team is considered to be on a par. However, Happybet’s prediction for the clash between Slovakia and Germany is that the German runners-up have the worse chances of winning the World Cup opener

Although national team coach Harold Kreis has had to compensate for a few annoying absences, the 65-year-old has a high-quality squad at his disposal. Alongside Serge Aubin as DEB co-coach, the recent ten-time DEL title winner from Berlin provides most of the players. Despite the frustrating absence of Moritz Seider, several NHL players are once again in the German squad. Slovakia and Germany kick off the 2024 Ice Hockey World Championship on Friday at 16:20 in the Ostravar Arena.

After finishing runners-up at the last World Championship, will Germany get off to a successful start against the narrowly favored Slovakia? All those who are confident of a DEB victory will find extremely interesting betting odds of 3.00 for a win in regulation time at Crazybuzzer.

Slovakia – Statistics & current form

A look at the World Cup odds in the AdmiralBet sports betting app reveals that Slovakia are starting the tournament with the same title chances as the German runners-up in the eyes of the bookmakers. Both Slovakia and Germany are priced at odds of 34.00 to win this year’s World Cup.

This means that the two apparently evenly matched opponents are a long way from being among the select group of favorites around Canada, Sweden and the USA. Nonetheless, the oddsmakers are giving the Slovakian national team a higher probability of victory ahead of their World Cup opener against the DEB team. However, the implied balance of power is not far apart: if you think Slovakia will win against Germany, you can take odds of up to 2.20 for a favorite triumph within the regular playing time.

Slovakia are favorites to win the opener against Germany

On paper, Slovakia’s recent record against the German team looks worrying. Head coach Craig Ramsay’s team have already faced Germany four times this year and have come out on top on three occasions. However, Slovakia won two of those three victories in extra time, while the German team celebrated a 7-3 victory over Ramsay’s charges a few weeks ago.

Recently, Slovakia’s preparations for the World Cup went rather badly after their last 4:5 overtime win. They have lost three of their last four matches. Most recently, they suffered an unsurprising 6-2 defeat against World Cup favorites USA. After finishing runners-up at the World Championships in 2012, the Slovakian ice hockey team has never finished higher than eighth in the last ten years. Nevertheless, the nation, currently ranked eighth in the world rankings, will be the favorites to win against the German silver medalists from the last World Championship on Friday.

Germany – statistics & current form

The expectations of the German ice hockey team are higher than ever. As runners-up after the last World Championship, the DEB players were determined to build on their surprise success at the next tournament. “We’ll be back, we’re not done here yet,” they said after the 5-2 defeat to Canada in the final. No wonder – after all, Germany secured its best World Cup placing for 70 years. Today, the team of head coach Harold Kreis is much more grounded, but has its sights firmly set on reaching the quarter-finals.

Big challenges await the DEB team early on in Group B. After the opener against Slovakia, they continue directly with the title favorites USA and Sweden. For Kreis, however, the tough opponents at the start of the group stage are more of a blessing than a curse. Some national teams are still waiting for one or two NHL players at this stage of the World Championship. Accordingly, there is potential here to create a favorable starting position early on in the preliminary round. However, with odds of 3.00 for betting tips on a regular triumph against Slovakia, Germany is considered the less likely winner. And rightly so?

No goal for Germany without Eisbären participation

The DEB coach has helped himself most extensively to the German record champions, who recently snatched their tenth title in the play-off final against Bremerhaven. No fewer than six Eisbären are representing Germany in the World Championship: In defense, Berlin captain Kai Wissmann provides stability together with Jonas Müller. Offensively, Frederik Tiffels, Tobias Eder and Leo Pföderl strengthen the team. Champion coach Serge Aubin will assist Kreis as assistant coach and is responsible for the offense and power plays.

The last preparation game against France made it clear that the Berlin signature cannot be denied in the national team. Every goal in the 4:3 victory after extra time was scored by at least one Polar Bear. For the upcoming World Cup challenge, numerous players from last year’s runners-up team are back in the squad. While two key players, Moritz Seider and Leon Gawanke, will be sorely missed, Kreis has made the conscious decision to leave out top scorer Matthias Plachta and DEL top scorer Justin Schütz.

Instead, Lukas Reichel from the Chicago Blackhawks has joined the DEB attack at short notice, but will not play against Slovakia on Friday. In goal, Kreis can rely not only on Cologne goalie Ancicka, but also on NHL player Grubauer and Niederberger from Mannheim. With defenceman Szuber and forwards Peterka and Sturm, three more NHL stars join Bremerhaven defenceman Kälble, Munich forward Kastner and Co. The DEB team is well equipped to celebrate the World Championship opener between Slovakia and Germany with a win, contrary to the betting odds

Slovakia – Germany head-to-head / H2H result

As already mentioned, Slovakia have won three of their last four matches against Germany. In total, the two nations have met 49 times since 1994. With 27 triumphs, the Slovaks have a better H2H record compared to Germany’s 22 victories.

It is interesting to note that the DEB team has won the last four direct World Championship duels against Slovakia. However, this winning streak can only be seen as a good omen for the upcoming showdown. The triumphs are too far in the past to play a role on a sporting level

Slovakia – Germany tip

Although the German national team surprisingly managed to finish as runners-up in the last World Championship, the DEB team will be slight underdogs in the eagerly awaited opening match against Slovakia. Although Germany have had to make some painful departures, they can once again call on numerous runners-up. In addition, coach Harold Kreis has a squad that is bursting with individual quality

Whoever can afford to voluntarily do without difference-makers like Matthias Plachta or Justin Schütz is truly spoiled for choice when it comes to putting together the World Championship squad. Although the DEB team is not yet complete and is still waiting for Lukas Reichel, who will only arrive on Friday, it is already playing the opening match with a broad-based roster.

In view of what we see as the unjustified underdog role of the German team, our pick between Slovakia and Germany is that the Kreis team will prevail in a potential overtime game at the latest.