During the ongoing Men's World Floorball Championship in Malmö, Sweden, the International Floorball Federation (IFF) held its General Assembly on December 14th. The most important item on the agenda was the election of a new leadership for the world federation. Filip Šuman, formerly the head of Czech Floorball, was elected as the new president. He succeeded Swede Tomas Eriksson, who had led the IFF since 1996. While Šuman's election was a success, the Czech national team, which had dominated its group stage, was eliminated in the quarterfinals by Slovakia, and then lost to the host nation, Sweden, in the semifinals. Today, the Czechs overcame the resistance of Latvia and are leaving the World Championship with a medal for the third consecutive time.

In the group stage, the Czechs defeated Norway 7-2 (0:4, 1:2, 1:1), Switzerland 5-2 (1:0, 0:1, 4:1) in a fantastic third period, and finally overwhelmed Germany 9-0 (5:0, 2:0, 2:0), and for the first time in history, won the group without a single loss!

The Czech team lived up to its favorite status even in the quarterfinals, defeating Slovakia 9-1 (6:0, 1:0, 2:1). By reaching the top four teams in the championship, they also secured a spot in the 2025 World Games in China.

In the semifinals, the Czech team faced the host nation, Sweden. With the support of over eight thousand spectators, Sweden won 6-1 (0:2, 0:1, 1:3) and advanced to the final.

In the bronze medal match, the Czech national team faced a surprise team from the Baltic region. Latvia is having its best World Championship in history. For the first time, they reached the top four, thanks to a quarterfinal victory over Switzerland, with Rolands Kovalevskis scoring in overtime. The team has several interesting players. Pontus Zarinš, a former Swedish junior national team player, is showing his class. The goalkeeper of Swedish FBC Kalmarsund used his dual citizenship and became a key player for Latvia's success. Markuss Dumpis, who plays in the Finnish F-Liiga, is also performing at a high level, and Morics Kruminš, who helped Warberg return to the Swedish SSL in the spring, is providing defensive experience and points.

The Czech national team broke the resistance of their opponent in the final part of the second period and won 8-2 (2:1, 3:1, 3:0). This is the third medal in a row and the sixth overall for the national team. For the fourth time, the Czechs have finished third at the World Championship. The match was highlighted by a record-breaking performance by legend Matěj Jendrišák.

The match began with a ceremony in which Matěj Jendrišák received a plaque for breaking the record held by Eliška Krupnová for the most appearances for the adult national team. The bronze medal match was his 142nd appearance.

The Czech team started the match on a high note. Just 26 seconds into the game, Marek Beneš took a shot from the center of the ice, and Latvian goalkeeper Zarinš didn't see the projectile, which was screened by Kruminš.

Later in the first period, the Czechs capitalized on their territorial advantage when Forman's pass from the right side was finished into the empty net by Mikuláš Krbec.

The Czech team complicated the situation in the final period with two penalties. The first goal, coming before the break, was scored by Jorens Malkavs after a pass from Ragovskis from behind the boards. He broke free from the defenders and shot the puck into the unguarded net.

At the start of the second period, the Latvians, thanks to a power play, created several good scoring opportunities, but Bauer was outstanding in goal. On the other hand, Zarinš also made several excellent saves.

The third period, which was largely dominated by defensive play, was finally broken by Ondřej Němeček, who fired a shot from the left boards into the far corner after Havlas picked up the puck in the attacking zone and passed it forward, extending the lead to 3:1.

The Czechs didn't enjoy their comfortable lead for long, as a defensive lapse allowed Akmenlauks to capitalize. He broke free on a two-on-one and passed the puck to an open Bruno Bekeris, who didn't miss the opportunity, bringing the score to 3:2.

The Czech team struck twice more before the end of the period, with Filip Langer involved in both goals. First, his shot was deflected by a Latvian defender just in front of Marek Beneš, who quickly fired the puck past Zarinš for his second goal.

Shortly after, a penalty was called on a Latvian player, leading to a power play. Josef Rýpar took advantage of the penalty shot, deking out Zarinš and scoring to extend the Czech lead to three goals.

Jiří Besta added to the Czech lead in the 43rd minute, skating around the net after a pass from Meliš and finishing with a precise shot into the far corner.

The Czech team's consistent performance prevented the Latvians from mounting a comeback. In the middle of the third period, the national team was awarded another power play, and during that power play, Ondřej Němeček scored on a cross-ice pass from Langer, extending the lead to 7:2.

Milan Meliš then scored his first goal of the tournament, assisted by the celebrating Jendrišák, with a powerful shot under the crossbar.

Goals: 1. M. Beneš (Havlas), 11. Krbec (Forman), 36. Němeček (Havlas), 38. M. Beneš (Langer), 39. Rýpar (T), 43. Besta (Meliš), 50. Němeček (Langer), 54. Meliš (Jendrišák) – 18. Malkavs (Ragovskis), 36. Bekeris (Akmenlauks). Referees: Broman – Matti (SWE). Penalties: 2:2. Power play goals: 1:1. Attendance: 6241. Goalie saves: Bauer 9 – Zarinš 21, Silinš 2. | MATCH CENTER | ČT sport

Czech Republic Lineup: Bauer (Jurco) – Němeček, Hemerka, Suchánek, Punčochář, Meliš, Zakonov – Havlas, Langer, M. Beneš – Rýpar, Forman, Krbec – Besta, Jendrišák, Hanák – D. Beneš, Delong, Tokoš.

History of World Championship Rankings:

**2016** Finland Sweden Switzerland **Czech Republic**
**2014** Sweden Finland **Czech Republic** Switzerland
**2012** Sweden Finland Switzerland Germany
**2010** Finland Sweden **Czech Republic** Switzerland
**2008** Finland Sweden Switzerland **Czech Republic**
**2006** Sweden Finland Switzerland **Czech Republic**
**2004** Sweden **Czech Republic** Finland Switzerland
**2002** Sweden Finland Switzerland **Czech Republic**
**2000** Sweden Finland Switzerland Denmark
**1998** Sweden Switzerland Finland Denmark
**1996** Sweden Finland Norway **Czech Republic**

Filip Šuman, who previously headed the Czech Floorball Association from 2000 to 2021, has been elected as the new head of the world floorball organization. Šuman received the support of all major federations, and as a result, he was the only candidate for the position of the highest-ranking official in world floorball. Šuman is the first Czech to hold the position of president of a world sports federation affiliated with the International Olympic Committee.

"Becoming the president of world floorball is a huge opportunity and challenge. I greatly appreciate the support of floorball federations from all continents. Floorball has been a part of my life, and I am determined to continue to dedicate all my energy to its growth and to making it an even more important sport in the world," said Šuman, who previously served as vice-president of the IFF.

The general assembly also elected the entire 13-member executive board of the IFF. There have been a number of changes in the leadership of world floorball, and a large part of the executive board is composed of new members. According to the IFF statutes, only one representative from each country can be a candidate. However, this rule does not apply to the position of president, so the Czech Floorball Association could have had another candidate for the executive board. Zuzana Svobodová, the current director of the Sports Department of the Czech Floorball Association, was elected to represent the Czech Republic, and Tomáš Březina retained his position on the IFF disciplinary committee.

"The fact that Filip has become the president of the IFF is a major commitment not only for him personally, but also for us as the entire Czech Floorball Association. We have long positioned ourselves as one of the leaders in international development, and we want to be a strong support for the new president in this regard. It is also in our interest for the IFF to be a strong and developed federation, and for us to demonstrate that we are truly capable of being that proclaimed leader," said the president of the Czech Floorball Association, Daniel Novák.

"The election of Filip Šuman as the president of the International Floorball Federation is a very prestigious achievement, not only for floorball but for the entire Czech sports community. It demonstrates that, as Czechs, we are capable of nurturing not only successful players, but also strong leaders who are not afraid to speak out and influence events at the highest levels, which brings great recognition not only to Czech sports, but to the entire Czech Republic. It is also a clear indication of the strength of Czech floorball and its position on the international stage," said Ondřej Šebek, Chairman of the National Sports Agency. At the world floorball congress, in addition to electing the leadership, major changes in the structure of floorball events were discussed. Starting in 2030, the men's and women's world championships should be held every four years, alternating with continental championships. Other team sports have been using a similar model for a long time. "Floorball is growing, and new members are joining not only in Europe and Asia, but also in the Americas and, at a fairly rapid pace, in Africa, where there are already 13 member countries. I believe that the path of continental championships can be important for the development of floorball worldwide. The European Championships could very quickly become an extremely prestigious tournament," Novák described the discussion at the General Assembly. Czech Floorball/ gnews – Roz