Skien 2024: Get to Know Germany 

The 2024 World Para Ice Hockey Championships B-Pool will take place from 15-20 April in Skien, Norway. It will be the 10th edition of World Championships B-Pool and first time Norway will play host. Six teams will compete, with the top two finishers advancing to the A-Pool for next season and the bottom finisher being relegated to the C-Pool. Follow along as we break down what you need to know about each team. 

Background

Germany has bounced back and forth between the A and B-Pools for the last two decades, most recently finishing eighth at last year’s World Championships A-Pool. 

In four appearances in the B-Pool, Germany has medalled in three of them, including the title win in 2013. Germany’s lone appearance at the Paralympic Winter Games was in 2006, and with a veteran cast of skaters in its ranks, it will try to bounce right back to the A-Pool for next season with a top-two finish in Skien.

World Championships History

2023: 8th place (A-Pool)
2021: Silver (B-Pool)
2019: 4th place (B-Pool)
2017: 7th place (A-Pool)
2015: 6th place (A-Pool)
2013: Gold (B-Pool)
2012: Bronze (B-Pool)
2009: 8th place (A-Pool)
2008: 5th place (A-Pool)
2004: 7th place (A-Pool)

Athlete to Watch

At age 32, Bernhard Hering could be the X factor for Germany in his fourth World Championships appearance. He led Germany in the A-Pool tournament last year with 16 shots on goal, two goals and two assists. The forward has six goals to his credit at his last B-Pool tournament in 2021.

Coaching Duties

Andreas Pokorny is a staple of Para ice hockey as one of the longest standing coaches in the sport and a former able-bodied hockey player in the top German league. 

Matchup to Watch: Germany vs. Norway on 20 April 

The final game of the tournament could be with top-seeded Norway against second-seeded Germany. The teams played twice at the World Championships A-Pool last year, each taking one win.