Goalkeeper Leonardo Genoni plays his 50th World Cup game in the 6-1 win against arch-rivals Germany. But he doesn't think much of statistics.
19.05.2026, 01:25
19.05.2026, 02:14
SDA
Leonardo Genoni is in a joking mood after the game: "I received a great cake before the game and now I'm looking forward to eating it," he tells the Keystone news agency when asked about his 50th World Championship appearance, before admitting: "No, I had no idea." The 38-year-old EV Zug keeper, who is contesting his twelfth World Championship, attaches little importance to statistics.
Yet his statistics, especially in the recent past, are more than impressive. In his last eight World Cup games, including overtime in last year's final against the USA (0:1), he conceded just four goals. When asked about this, he replied: "I like three points." These statements illustrate what makes Leonardo Genoni tick.
Commenting on the game, he says: "It was a tough game at first, then came the shorthander (to make it 1-0 in the 27th minute). That was the can opener and then every shot went in." The Swiss immediately won the middle third 5:0. The Germans only scored in the 56th minute to make it 1:6. So there was little missing for Genoni's 13th shutout at a World Championship. But unsurprisingly, that didn't matter to him. "It really didn't," he emphasizes. It was no different last year against the Germans (back then he conceded the 1:5 in the 59th minute).
Genoni does let something slip about his strong World Championship performances - he was named MVP of the tournament when he won the silver medal a year ago: "We have a great team, it works really well. What's more, there are many consecutive games with similar situations. There aren't many chances in international ice hockey, which makes it easier for a goalkeeper - even if the shots and the opponents are good." In any case, Genoni can also be relied on at the home World Championship.
