Why it still works at the World Cup without Genoni

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Is it possible without Leonardo Genoni? This is a worrying question looking into the future of the national team. Stéphane Charlin almost gave Switzerland a win over Finland (2:3 nV) and provided the answer to the question: yes, without Leonardo Genoni can work.

Klaus Zager, Helsinki

Is it possible without Leonardo Genoni? This is a worrying question looking into the future of the national team. Stéphane Charlin almost gave Switzerland a win over Finland (2:3 nV) and provided the answer to the question: yes, without Leonardo Genoni can work.

Bankruptcy and disputes are increasingly likely. Switzerland took a 2-1 lead as Stéphane Charlin calmly blocked puck after puck. Only someone who knew him inside out could save him: Harri Pesonen scored to make it 2-2 and send the Finns into overtime. “I know him and I know he's difficult to beat with a high shot,” the Langnau captain said cheerfully afterwards. That's why he bulldozed the puck. “But in fact, in this situation, there is no time to think about it…”

Hari Pesonen beat Chalin once yesterday.Picture: www.imago-images.de

In the stands, three NHL scouts filled notepads with notes. In terms of transfer rights, Stéphane Charlin is free to join the most important league in the world starting from next season and can move to any NHL club. No compensation is required other than a transfer compensation of approximately 250,000 francs to Servetus. That made NHL managers even more interested in him.

There is no doubt about it: this gentle giant can be Leonardo Genoni's successor at international level. National team coach Patrick Fisher was full of praise and mentioned a central point: “He brings an incredible calmness to our game.” Charlin is like a spider, sitting on a An almost perfectly woven defensive spider web. Backed by defensive giants, Switzerland displayed one of their best defenses of international competition in the closing stages, with Patrick Fisher lamenting: “It's a pity we made some simple mistakes in the end.” On the field players. Not a goalie.

Charlin will be rested against Sweden on Saturday (12:30pm, SRF Live). Ambris-Giles Senn comes on and Patrick Fisher said after the game he will decide which of the two goalkeepers to use against the Czech Republic on Sunday (12.30, Live SRF).

Gilles Senn will take up the role on Saturday.Image: KEYSTONE

In August, Leonardo Genoni celebrated his 37th birthday. The question of whether this would have been possible without the two-time World Cup final goalkeeper is no disrespect. But due to the passage of time and the 2026 World Cup taking place in our own country of Zurich and Friborg. Stefan Chalin has never proven himself at the World Cup. But he was just as focused, dominant, cool and composed against the Finns as he is in the domestic league. He is 191 centimeters tall and weighs 84 kilograms, and his figure is perfect. His charisma also worked at the international level. He could replace Genoni.

In fact, there is only one problem: He will most likely transfer directly to the NHL organization after the season and will not start a contract with Servet for the time being. What this means: He could make his World Cup debut in the spring. But he could only play if his NHL team was eliminated from the Stanley Cup playoffs in time. Which leads to the next question: is this possible without Janoni and Charin? Yes, with a little help from the hockey gods, it can happen.

In Kloten, Ludovic Waeber (28) is on the verge of becoming a charismatic number one after a failed North American adventure. At Embry, Gilles Senn (28) is playing the best hockey of his career. Sandro Aeschlimann (29) is a big reason why HCD remains in the top group of the league, Philip Wüthrich (26) is now doing well for SCB and if his Rival Adam Reideborn is more Swiss than Swiss and will most likely finish first. Sweden. Akira Schmid (24) is fighting for a place in the most important league in the world in the NHL organization in Las Vegas and he has the body of Stéphane Charlin and collar size, and debuted in second place at last spring's World Cup.

Who will be Leonardo Genoni's successor?Image: trapezoid

So we have at least six goalkeepers who are truly World Cup-worthy. But only Akira Schmid has proven herself in the World Cup. Stéphane Charlin, Ludovic Waeber and Philip Wüthrich were never selected for a World Cup team. Gilles Senn (no game in 2018) and Sandro Eschlimann (one game in 2022) are only third in the World Cup, while Servet's main goalkeeper Robert Meyer is also unavailable. At the peak of his career in 2023, he became Genoni's replacement and was defeated. Germany's complicity in the World Cup quarter-finals. He is no longer eligible for the World Cup.

Patrick Fischer has so far been unable to produce a successor to Genoni, and this cannot be due to the talent of the last few men. Perhaps no one can thrive in the shadow of the two-time World Cup finals hero. Because since the 2018 World Cup silver medal, it has been clear to everyone: the real number one is and remains Leonardo Genoni. No one can surpass him.

That may no longer be the case after Stefan Charin's impressive performance against Finland.

• 7

  A leader who can decide games and make his team better on and off the ice.

• 6-7

  A talented player who can decide a game on a good night and is a leader.

• 5-6

  A good NL player: usually a rainbow butterfly of talent, sometimes a serious worker who brings out a lot of talent.

• 4-5

  Players on the third or fourth block, veterans or newcomers.

• 3-4

  The future is still ahead of you, or the future is already behind you.

• The rating is based on the North American Hockey Grading Scale, ranging from 1 (lowest) to 7 (highest). There is no level lower than 3, because it is at least almost enough for those playing in the top leagues.

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