It took until Germany's seventh attempt in the shootout to finally decide the game. Lilli Welcke skated towards Klara Peslarova, coolly deked her way past the Czech goaltender and slotted the puck into the empty net to secure a 2–1 victory for Germany.

It was very much the Welcke sisters' day. They combined to produce Germany's opening goal, and both found the back of the net in the shootout to settle a thrilling encounter.

It was a genuine test for the ambitious Germans this afternoon in Esbjerg. Germany have not reached the semi-finals since 2017, and an important first step towards another breakthrough was – and still is – to avoid finishing fourth in the group.

It was a genuine test for the ambitious Germans this afternoon in Esbjerg. Germany have not reached the semi-finals since 2017, and an important first step towards another breakthrough was – and still is – to avoid finishing fourth in the group.

Standing on the other side of the red line were world number three Czechia, who entered the game as slight favourites, but without Klara Hymlarova, who was serving a suspension.

The Welcke sisters made an early impact in the first period. Just 72 seconds into the game, the puck was in the Czech net. Lilli Welcke was perfectly positioned in front of goal to finish off a play set up by Luisa Welcke and Carina Strobel.

It was the perfect start for Germany, but halfway through the period it was the Czechs' turn to celebrate.

Following a rebound from Sandra Abstreiter, Linda Vocetkova managed to redirect the puck into the net from close range.

The opening period was a closely contested affair between two evenly matched teams, with Germany holding the 9-6 advantage in shots on goal.

The second period turned into a tough battle, with plenty of penalties and physical challenges.

Both teams successfully killed off a penalty in the first half of the period, but Czech goaltender Klara Peslarova was particularly busy as Germany applied heavy pressure on the power play, creating several dangerous opportunities in front of the Czech net.

At the other end, Sandra Abstreiter had to react quickly when Barbora Bartokova came straight out of the penalty box and found herself through on goal.

Abstreiter came out on top once again when Katarina Mrazova broke away on a two-on-one, leaving the game completely in the balance heading into the third period.

Both Linda Vocetkova and, in particular, Emily Nix had excellent opportunities during the first half of the third period. However, both goaltenders, Abstreiter and Peslarova, once again demonstrated their outstanding quality. 

Still locked at 1–1 with 10 minutes remaining, the intensity and tension continued to build with every passing minute.

With just over eight minutes left on the clock, Emily Nix was sent to the penalty box for tripping. Was this

Czechia's chance to score the deciding goal? Not quite. Germany produced a strong penalty kill and successfully weathered the storm, helped along by the relentless drumming from the fans behind the goal. However, Czechia had seized the momentum.

Linda Vocetkova remained a constant threat in front of the German net and came agonisingly close to beating goaltender Abstreiter with just four minutes remaining.

Overall, Czechia looked the more dangerous side in the closing stages and managed to draw another penalty from the Germans, with Svenja Voigt sent to the box for tripping.

From that point on, it was all about survival for Germany as they fought to force overtime – and they got the job done.

The Czech pressure continued into overtime, with wave after wave of attacks raining down on Sandra Abstreiter's goal. The Germans threw themselves in front of every shot, blocking everything they could and somehow surviving once again.

Kampen ville simpelthen ikke tage en ende. Efter fem straffeslag var stillingen 1-1. Luisa Welcke scorede for Tyskland, men Natalie Mlynkova reddede tjekkerne i allersidste forsøg. Og til sidst var det altså den anden Welcke-søster, der slog og vandt for Tyskland.