2017 Review: Men
2017 is coming to an end and this is the year in numbers.
- 78 games played – 53 ranked games
- 30 teams in play
- 803 goals scored
- 3 new nations (China, Kenya, Uganda)
- 1 new full rank (Thailand)
- 64.10 % favorite win – 71.70 % for ranked games
The year after a world championship has always been a bit slow, and, for the most part, 2017 was not different. But there was a few things that stood out of the pack.
The first thing I had in mind is AOFC Cup i July, where China made its debut on the international stage in a game versus Philippines. After a last minute equalizer it looked like they were going to get a first point but Philippines came out on top with a game winning goal 13 seconds from time. India and Iran also participated in AOFC Cup after 8 and 5 years of abscense from the world stage respectively. Thailand crushed all resistance and made clear that they are the best team from the AOFC-conference. Japan and Australia did not participate, but they will test their mettle in the WFC qualifications in February.
The second big thing was of course the World Games in Wroclaw, Poland, where Sweden came out on top after a very tight game against Switzerland in the final. Switzerland impressed throughout the tournament, beating Finland in the semi finals. Finland had to settle for the bronze medal after a 2-0 win against Czech Republic. Switzerland later got their revenge on Sweden in the Europe Floorball Tour, where they won against Sweden for the first time in history.
Speaking of historical firsts. The first game between African teams, Uganda and Kenya, was played in September. Kenya won 3-1 but it’s not the result that’s important. Rather the symbol of floorball expanding to a new continent, leaving South America behind as the only continent left with zero internationals. I hope that more African nations will follow in 2018. And that South America will take that step.
There are several teams that probably will gain a full rank next year. Philippines and India are not participating in the WFC qualifications, but they only need one more game. New Zeeland and Iran will gain a full rank in the qualifications, as well as Iceland in the European conference.
Now we look into some statistics from the year
The best climbers of the year:
- Belgium, +72.3 points
- Singapore, +55.0 points
- Austria, +50.5 points
- Thailand, +36.2 points
- Switzerland, 31.6 points
Best movers of the year
- Thailand, +18 (gained full rank)
- Austria, Belgium, +1
Biggest wins of the year
- 23-3, Thailand – India, AOFC Cup
- 20-0, Sweden – USA, World Games
Biggest upsets of the year
Predicted win percentage in the parenthesis.
- Hungary (66) – Austria (34) – 1-6 – Friendly
- Spain (73) – Belgium (27) – 2-6 – 4 nation tournament
- Singapore (57) – South Korea (43) – 11-0 – AOFC Cup
- Italy (51) – Hungary (49) – 2-11 – Adria Cup
- Finland (78) – Switzerland (22) – 2-5 – World Games
- Switzerland (13) – Sweden (87) – 7-5 – Euro Floorball Tour
This is the final standings of 2017. And all the changes.
Average rating of conferences (Full ranking only)
- Europe (EUR) – 1441.49 – 23 nations
- America (AMER) – 1323.95 – 2 nations
- Asia and Oceania (AOFC) – 1127.35 – 6 nations
Floorball Elo ratings 