Switzerland were able to celebrate returning to the top level for the first time since 2002 with the U21 Boys Team. The home team secured first place and the only available spot for the FIH Hockey Junior World Cup 2025. With three wins and one draw from four games, the Swiss remained unbeaten and finished the tournament at the top of the table.
With the end of the EuroHockey Under-21, U21 II-A, and U21 II-B Championships last week, a total of eight men’s teams have qualified for the upcoming expanded 24-team FIH Hockey Junior World Cup 2025. The men’s teams from Spain, the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, England, France, Austria, and Switzerland have qualified from Europe.
A Look Back at the Successful Tournament for the Swiss U21
After intensive preparation, the tournament for Switzerland started on July 15 with a game against Wales. Loris Grandchamp kicked off the Swiss winning streak with a goal in the 21st minute. The game ended with a 6-2 victory, with Yannick Hug also shining as a goal scorer alongside Loris.
In the next game, the Swiss faced the Czechs, who scored the first and second goals. However, the Swiss showed great fighting spirit and turned the game around with goals from Loris Grandchamp, Jens Flück, Léonard Kraxner, and Ben Gasser, resulting in a 5-3 victory.
After a well-deserved rest day, it was back to action against the Finns. In a dominant game, the Swiss boys rewarded themselves with an impressive 11-0 victory.
Now it was time to recover, rest, and focus on the final game. This game was decisive as it was about the ticket for the A-Division next year and the World Championship in India. The game against Scotland began evenly with an early goal from Loris Grandchamp. The Scots equalized in the 20th minute. Matthias Morhauer seized an opportunity to put Switzerland back in the lead, scoring the 2-1. The Scots responded again, and the game ended in a 2-2 draw. Thanks to the better goal difference, which was hard-earned in this tournament, the Swiss boys were able to celebrate the well-deserved tournament victory and secure the ticket to the A-Division and the World Championship. Additionally, Switzerland celebrated Loris Grandchamp as the top scorer and the best player.
Congratulations to the U21 Boys!
Switzerland proved their outstanding performance in Lausanne and won the hearts of the fans. We congratulate the U21 Boys on their well-deserved success and wish them the best of luck and success at the World Championship in India.