The Euro Hockey Tour remains a difficult place for the Swiss national team. It's a good thing that the next major event is coming up soon for the two-time World Cup finalists: the Olympics.
15.12.2025, 09:27
15.12.2025, 09:50
SDA
The home tournament in Zurich is out of the way. The games against Sweden, the Czech Republic and Finland did not provide any confidence in the form of a win. With a view to the home World Championships next May, the result may even give cause for concern: Even after seven appearances in the World Cup arena, Switzerland is still winless there.
For national coach Patrick Fischer, however, the focus was on other aspects. The impressions gained against three top nations were decisive in view of the upcoming Olympic selection. "It wasn't an easy week for the players," summarized Fischer. "There was a lot at stake. The players wanted to show themselves. Some succeeded better than others. A lot is clearer for us now. We've seen what roles certain players can take on and who brings the necessary intensity to the ice. On the small ice rink in Milan, things will be even faster and tougher. These games have shown us who is ready for it."
25 names by the end of the year
Fischer must submit 25 names to the International Ice Hockey Federation IIHF by December 31. The ten NHL pros are considered to be set: goalie Akira Schmid, defensemen Roman Josi, Jonas Siegenthaler and Janis Moser as well as forwards Kevin Fiala, Nico Hischier, Timo Meier, Nino Niederreiter, Pius Suter and Philipp Kurashev. Lian Bichsel, who is currently injured, will remain internally suspended until the home World Championship.
That leaves two spots for goaltenders, five for defensemen and eight for forwards. Proven players from the domestic league such as Michael Fora, Andrea Glauser, Dean Kukan, Christian Marti, Sven Andrighetto, Denis Malgin, Christoph Bertschy and Sandro Schmid are likely to be in the line-up, as are Damien Riat and Calvin Thürkauf, who impressed at the home tournament.
Leonardo Genoni is considered to be the top choice in the goalie position. Stéphane Charlin, Reto Berra and Sandro Aeschlimann are in a tight race for third place. Tim Berni, Romain Loeffel or Dominik Egli are possible candidates for the last spot in defense. In attack, Fischer could consider two players from the quartet of Gaëtan Haas, Simon Knak, Grégory Hofmann and Tyler Moy.
What does the Olympic timetable look like?
By the end of the year, the national coach and his staff will decide which 22 outfield players and three goalkeepers will travel to Milan. The official announcement will be made after the turn of the year. After that, changes are only possible in the event of injuries - a scenario that cannot be ruled out given the tight schedule.
There is still a lot of ice hockey to be played before Switzerland's first preliminary round match against France on February 12. In the National League, the teams will play up to 17 games between now and February 1. The championship will be suspended during the Old Year's week, although this does not apply to the players of hosts HC Davos and defending champions Fribourg-Gottéron due to the Spengler Cup. In the NHL, games will be played at the usual high rhythm until February 5.
As the NHL players only travel to Italy by charter flight shortly before the start of the tournament, the association is deliberately keeping the preparation camp short. "We prefer to give the players another break from the intensive league routine, also with a view to the home World Championship, in order to have optimal energy reserves," said Lars Weibel, Director of National Teams. Shortly before the start of the tournament, Switzerland will play a practice match against Latvia in private.
Olympic arena not yet ready
The Swiss will play their preliminary round matches against France, Canada and the Czech Republic in the Palaitalia Arena, which can accommodate 14,000 spectators. However, the new building is still under construction less than two months before the start of the tournament. According to the organizers, the arena will only be completed shortly before the opening of the games.
In addition, the ice surface, which is around one meter shorter than NHL standards, is causing displeasure among North American league officials. "If the players deem the ice unsafe, we won't play. It's as simple as that," said NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly after a visit to Milan. The ice quality has to be "closely monitored" for up to three games a day. Accordingly, the NHL has provided its own ice experts and technicians.
For the Swiss national team, this is nothing more than a sideshow. The selection process will soon be completed and the acid test will follow in February.
