MVP's double strike secures Zug United's first-leg win over Bulldogs Brno

In the first leg of a women's floorball Champions Cup quarterfinal, where the aggregate winner over two matches is determined by points earned, Swiss club Zug United defeated Czech side Bulldogs Brno 3:2 (1:2; 0:0; 2:0) on home ice. Just over 100 spectators attended the match in Zug.

The hosts had a rough start: in the sixth minute, Nora Rantanen twice mishandled a pass in front of her own goal, and Pavlina Bacova capitalized by scoring into the top left corner. Late in the first period, Bulldogs Brno made a similar mistake trying to clear their own zone, allowing Natalia Spichigere to intercept the ball and set up Martina Repkova, who leveled the score. However, just four seconds before the period ended, Brno regained the lead when, following a shot from center ice by Adela Kastečkova, Barbora Jaskova came out on top in a scramble in front of the net to make it 2:1.

Neither team scored in the second period. Midway through the third, the visitors were awarded a penalty shot, which Izabella Geriga converted with confidence — the same player named MVP of last December's world championship, where she led Switzerland to the gold medal. Ninety seconds later, Geriga set up Laila Ediza on the right flank, quickly received the ball back, and scored from close range to secure the win.

The return leg is scheduled for October 1, when Bulldogs Brno will need a regulation-time win to send the tie into overtime.