One of the favourites of the C-division WFC Slovakia started strongly in their first match against France by fore checking very high in the field. Despite of this France was the team with more opportunities in beginning of the game.

Slovakia made their first goal in 5.31 after a poor clearance by the French defenders, scored by number 19 Martin Sedivy. After the first goal the French team fell back a bit and started to defend more, which also lead to the first penalty for Slovakia. Slavomir Stano got a 2 minute penalty for hitting. France showed skills by producing a classic power play with some good shots, but the Slovak goalie made a lot of really excellent saves.

18.54 the Slovak forward Vladimir Beles scored the second goal of the match when his team mate lifted the ball to his chest and it fell into the goal from there, while the French players protested heavily. France clearly won the shots of the first period, but failed to score due to both good goaltending and poor finishing.

The second period had merely started, when Marek Marusinec shot from near the rink and surprised the French goalie in the lower corner, Slovakia lead 3-0. France continued to try, but without any players in front of the Slovak goalie and he had an easy job of taking the balls. Slovakia, #Tomas Mucka got a 2 min penalty, but the Slovaks did hold on.

In 30.01 the Slovak defence slept and got rounded by the French and they had an easy job to lift in the ball in the net. Just 33 seconds later Beat Glauser scored in a counter attack and it was suddenly 2-3. In the end of the period France looked for the equaliser, but instead Matej Kender shot 2-4 for Slovakia.

France did not give in and continued to chase the Slovak lead in the third period. The French had a problem through out the match, with the fast, big and also skilful Slovaks, who easily made 2-5 by Lucas Blasko. France still got a chance when the tired Slovaks made more fouls and Pavol Ducas was sent out, but the French failed to hit the target. The match was more or less over when IFK Paris player Cyril Menon, got a penalty in the mid of the third period.

The match ended with a 5 – 2 victory for the Slovaks, but the French team showed some good performance and it will be interesting to see them in the next matches.