World Cup 2023 in Finland and Latvia Preview with Maximilian Kastner

Thursday, 11. May 2023 | World Cup 2023 in Finland and Latvia Preview with Maximilian Kastner

With a broad chest: Kastner sets ambitious World Cup targetMunich forward wants to return to the quarterfinals// NATIONAL TEAMThe 2023 World Cup begins on Friday in Finland and Latvia. Our national player Maximilian Kastner has a clear goal in mind despite top-class group opponents.

On the very first day of the World Cup (May 12-28), the DEB team will face a real top nation in Sweden. Nevertheless, their own expectations are high. "We want to reach at least the quarterfinals," says Kastner confidently before the first game.

Kastner: "Great that so many Munich players are there"

Kastner is one of six Red Bulls championship players nominated by national coach Harold Kreis. In addition to the most valuable player of the 2023 DEL finals, goalie Mathias Niederberger, defenseman Maksymilian Szuber and forwards Justin Schütz, Frederik Tiffels and Filip Varejcka are also in the lineup.

Sechs Meister der Red Bulls bei der WM

// NATIONALMANNSCHAFT

"I'm delighted that so many people from Munich are taking part. It's great for the young players in particular to have an experience like this," says Kastner. Even the champions were unable to prevent a 6-3 defeat to the USA in the dress rehearsal at the Olympic Ice Stadium, but this had no effect on the positive mood. Kastner assures: "We are going into the tournament with a broad chest. We have high expectations and don't have to hide from anyone."

Defending champions, world number one and a treat

Since Wednesday, our boys have been in Tampere, Finland, where the DEB team will play all seven games of the group stage. "The new stadium is a treat," knows Kastner, who knows the arena from the games in the Champions League against Tappara Tampere.

Another highlight: the second group match against hosts and defending champions Finland (May 13). The tough opening program is rounded off against the world number one seed USA (May 15). "It would be outstanding if we could score in the first three games," says Kastner, looking ahead to the start of the tournament. The other group opponents are Denmark, Austria, Hungary and France.

Dominik Bittner zu Wechsel, Familie und seiner Nummer

// INTERVIEW

Great experience and a series

For Kastner it will be the third World Championship. He recalls, "I was a bit nervous the first time I took part, but by the second year I was more at ease. I enjoy every moment at the World Championships, because you never know when you'll get the next chance."

At the age of 30, he is one of the veterans in the team. He wants to pass on his experience to the younger players. "I try to give them confidence. They don't need to hide," Kastner encourages. So far, the striker has always reached the quarterfinals, even finishing fourth in his 2021 debut. That's how it can go on.

The World Cup groups

Group A in Tampere: Germany, Sweden, Finland, USA, Denmark, Austria, Hungary, France

Group B in Riga: Latvia, Canada, Czech Republic, Switzerland, Slovakia, Slovenia, Norway, Kazakhstan

The preliminary round matches of the German national team

May 12 | 7:20 p.m. | Sweden - Germany

13 May | 19:20 | Germany - Finland

May 15 | 3:20 p.m. | Germany - USA

May 18 | 7:20 p.m. | Denmark - Germany

May 19 | 7:20 p.m. | Austria - Germany

21 May | 15:20 h | Germany - Hungary

May 23 | 11:20 a.m. | Germany - France

MagentaSport shows all games of the German national team and all knockout matches live.