Singapore women’s floorball team set sights on top-8 finish at World Championships

SINGAPORE: From rehearsing the national anthem and the pre-match huddle to sparring with professional referees, the Singapore women's floorball team have simulated match-day conditions to a tee for the World Floorball Championships.

They hope to clinch a top-eight finish in the 16-team tournament, which kicks off on Saturday (Dec 2) and lasts until Dec 10 at the Singapore Sports Hub. The team’s previous best showing at the World Championships was 12th place during the 2019 edition that was held in Switzerland. 

Ranked 13th in the world, the team wants to ride on the momentum from the SEA Games in Cambodia in May, where they clinched their third straight gold medal.

“The SEA Games has definitely given us a boost in confidence and I think it's a good build-up and preparation towards the Floorball World Championships,” captain Michelle Lok told CNA.

She added that the team have the homeground advantage of familiarity with the venue, and the physical presence of family and friends to provide support. 

Singapore will kick off their campaign against France, who are ranked 27th in the world, and the team will also play against Australia and Germany in the group stage.

The team trained in Perth, Australia in the lead-up to the tournament and that has better prepared them for the upcoming matches against their competitors, said Lok.

“Playing against Caucasians is definitely (on) a different level because physically, they are definitely bigger and stronger, and maybe faster as well,” she said.

“Going against the Australians recently has definitely prepared us to go against the other Caucasian teams in our group.”

The five-day training camp, a change from the camps held in Malaysia or Japan ahead of the SEA Games, was not just about honing