Switzerland’s young stars demonstrated remarkable chemistry and resilience in their Olympic opener against Czechia, showcasing their potential on a grand stage. The match, which took place on Friday, saw a blend of veteran leadership and fresh talent contributing to a thrilling comeback that initially seemed unlikely after a rocky start.
Team Czechia gained an early advantage with an opening goal by Kristyna Kaltounkova. However, Switzerland quickly responded, as Laura Zimmerman found the net to even the score. The game swung again in favor of Czechia as Natalie Mlynkova and Tereza Plosova extended their lead to 3-1 late in the game, leaving the Swiss fighting for survival.
Despite the daunting scoreline, Switzerland’s determination shone through in the final period. Alina Muller ignited the Swiss offense with a power-play goal, executing a well-coordinated sequence involving Lara Stalder and Ivana Wey, which narrowed the gap to one. In a dramatic turn of events, defender Lara Christen scored the equalizer with under three minutes left, forcing the match into overtime.
The overtime period saw Switzerland control the pace before heading to a shootout, where both Muller and Stalder converted their attempts. Wey emerged as the hero, scoring the decisive goal in the eighth round to secure the victory. The extra point from the shootout will be crucial for Switzerland’s potential quarterfinal positioning.
Notably, the younger generation of Swiss players made a significant impact in their Olympic debuts. Alessia Baechler, a 20-year-old rookie, led all Swiss players in ice time and excelled during the overtime period. Wey, having just turned 20, played crucial minutes alongside established names and made an outstanding contribution with a key pass leading to Muller’s goal, in addition to scoring twice in the shootout.
“We always believed that we could play over 60 minutes, and that’s what we did,” said Zimmerman after the game, emphasizing the team’s unwavering belief that ultimately propelled them to victory. This crucial win not only boosts Switzerland’s spirits but also positions them favorably as they prepare to face defending champion Canada in their next Group A matchup. The upcoming game promises to be a challenge, but with the blend of experience and youthful talent, Switzerland is ready to continue making waves in the tournament.