Marcel Jenni proud despite World Cup elimination: “We hardly saw a puck in November”

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Marcel Jenni, what dominates the day after? Are you still frustrated or proud that you brought the highly favored Sweden to the brink of defeat?
It’s both. It really hurts how we were eliminated. The opportunity to create this big surprise was palpable. But at the same time I am also very proud of the team. Especially when I think about the whole process. When we played against Sweden in November, we barely saw a puck.

You were terribly angry about Dionicio’s penalty in extra time. How do you see the whole thing a day later?
It was very insignificant to whistle this penalty in extra time, and the referees realized that afterwards.

The two late nominees Meile and Hornecker, who played with Basel and Winterthur in the Swiss League on December 30, scored the Swiss goals after being 2-0 down. Did you feel like you were in a fairy tale?
It was very difficult for both of them, because they were already in Sweden and then fell victim to the latest cut. How they performed when they came back impressed me and shows their character. They may not have had the same pressure as before, but they wanted to show what they could do and played very well. I was very happy that they especially could help the team with goals.

What was ultimately missing to the big surprise?
The winning goal in extra time. Otherwise everything worked out. But you also have to look at where these players come from. All but one of the Swedes play in their highest division. We have three, one of which gets very little ice time. For me as a coach it was great to see how our team developed into a unit and performed in the most important match. Now it’s time to take the next step.

However, there was also a 3:11 defeat against the USA at this World Cup.
Of course the result was too high. But almost every shot went in. The US are incredibly good, but despite this 3:11 we have never created as many chances against them as in this match. Even at U18 level, we barely crossed the halfway line against this opponent. Being at the back and then conceding maybe three or four fewer goals is not an option as long as I am a coach. Because that’s not how you get better.

How many players from this team will one day become top players at the top level?
It’s hard to give a percentage, it depends on so many factors. But just thinking about our leadership group from 2004, with players like Miles Müller, Dionicio and Taibel, they definitely have the potential to play in the A-Nati one day.

About half of the team was even younger, born in 2005 and 2006. Do you expect Switzerland to field an even stronger World Cup team next year?
This will help us one hundred percent. But even more important will be how the players use the summer. And most importantly: which ships they play in and how much ice time they get. If they still play junior hockey, it will be difficult. If they play at the professional level and actually get ice time, things will look better.

The great ZSC talent Daniil Ustinkov suddenly did not get a second of ice time in the quarter-finals. What happened?
In the end we had six defenders who were a little further along in their maturation process than him. Daniil is still very young, born in 2006, and still needs some time.

Your contract runs until 2025. Do you have ambitions to join club ice hockey like your predecessors Bayer, Paterlini or Wohlwend?
At the moment I feel very comfortable with the association and with the national U20 team. I have now completed the first U20 World Cup and am already looking forward to the next one with all the processes. I can definitely imagine working for a club one day, but I haven’t really thought about it seriously yet.

Source : Blick