There is no rest for the wicked. The World Games community were treated to early tantalising action today in Chengdu, 24 hours before the competition is officially opened at the Tianfu International Conference Center.
Those sports on show were six of the preliminary matches in the men’s and women’s Floorball and then two preliminaries in men’s Softball.
It is also worth mentioning that women’s Floorball was making its debut at The World Games today at the Xindu Xiangcheng Sports Centre as was men’s Softball at the Xindu Better City Softball Arena.
The latter to return to the Olympic programme at LA28 after missing out at Paris 2024.
Floorball
All three women’s floorball matches were whitewashes.
One of which occurred between Thailand – who hadn’t qualified for the 2024 Women’s Floorball World Championships last year in Singapore – and Sweden – who arrived into China as the reigning World champions. Quite the difference.
Sweden’s quality did shine over the three periods – which at The World Games are held at 15 minutes not 20 – with them winning 21-2.
However, Sweden captain and the December 2023 athlete of the month Maja Viström was still surprised by Thailand despite the scoreline.
“They were even better than I thought it would be,” said Viström who assisted the first goal of the match at 1 minute and 38 seconds to fellow forward Wilma Johansson. “I'm impressed about Thailand, and I think we did quite well, even if they scored two goals.”
Although it wasn’t many, both of Thailand’s goals came on the breakaway – both by Rungnapa Kebsomrong – and Sweden will have to tighten their defence against higher ranked teams such as Switzerland and Slovakia in Group A.
“Sometimes we did some mistakes, and they scored. I think we could have defended a little bit better and be a little bit careful of the ball,” added 2024’s World’s Best Handball player Viström.
“Then we maybe could have taken those two goals away as well but it’s just the beginning.”
The other women’s matches were in Group B and finished Finland 36-0 Canada and Czechia 21-0 Singapore.
Two of the men’s matches also ended in wide scores as Finland hammered host nation China 42-0 whilst Czechia defeated Canada 29-1.
Softball
There was disappointment in the morning of men’s softball as Czechia vs Japan and USA vs Canada were postponed due to kit logistical issues.
However, the afternoon contests more than made up for it, with two intriguing contests.
Singapore ultimately fended off an inspired fightback from former world number one ranked Australia. After a pointless first two innings, Singapore fired in three runs in the third top innings via FOO Say Kian, Low Zu Ray and Bin Mohammad Noorham Huzaifie.
Singapore’s batting really picked up though in the fourth innings, grabbing six runs in 12 pitches against Australia who weren’t helped by usual pitcher Matthew Beckett getting replaced by Joel Byrne at the start. Two of those runs occurring in the same play as Seah Schuyle’s hit allowed Cheoh Shun Kai and Han Dominic to get past the home plate.
Australia pulled themselves together though in the bottom, securing six runs that included their own double shot by Haydan Dobe to bring the scores to 9-7.
They ended up being far closer than the frenetic nature of the fourth as only three runs were secured from both sides.
But Bin Mohammad Noorham’s third run – Singapore’s last of the match – proved vital in the sixth innings as Australia failed to muster enough runs to tie the scores at 10 and force an eighth.
Meanwhile, reigning World Cup champions Venezuela edged Argentina 3-2 in the other match.