Group D as in Denmark. The Danish team won all of the group matches after defeating Australia with 9-5 (2-0, 2-3, 5-2)

There were, of course, hopes in Australia of taking home the victory necessary to advance in the Championship. However, Denmark, who only needed a draw to advance, proved that they were the strongest team in the entire group D. Andreas Glad began the scoring for Denmark after only seven minutes of play and Brian Nielsen increase the score in power play a few minutes later.

But Australia did not give up. In the second period they gave Denmark a fight and initially evened out the score to 2-1 and later to 3-2 after Denmark got another score in between. Later, the Danes scored 4-2 pretty easily, but that did not stop Australia from taking up the fight again. Timothy Boteler broke a pass and came free against Danish goalkeeper Anders Kjaer. Kjaer saved the first shot but Boteler scored on his own rebound resulting in 4-3 just before the end of the second period.

The third period, however, did not begin well for a struggling Australia. Gavin Staindl got an unfortunate penalty and Brian Nielsen took the opportunity to score 5-3 in power play. When Stefan Hedorf scored 6-3 the outcome seemed clear. Australia continued to fight but Denmark won the match with 9-5. Now Denmark will face Germany in the play-offs. 

Full match statistics here.

Photo: Rasmus Tynander.