International Friendly· Season 2026
Czech Republic U18 beat Switzerland U18 2-0 in a friendly in Davos, with Kucera scoring on the power play in the second period and Mares adding a third-period insurance goal.
Match Analysis
AI SummaryHow It Unfolded
The opening period passed without a goal, with both sides feeling each other out in a competitive but cagey first frame. Switzerland U18 goalkeeper Silvano Andri and his Czech counterpart kept the scoresheet blank through 20 minutes.
Czech Republic U18 broke the deadlock at 14:06 of the second period. Matyas Kucera converted on the power play, with Petr Hornig and Ondrej Andrle drawing the assists. The goal came with the man advantage, the only special-teams strike of the game.
Switzerland pushed for an equaliser in the third period but could not find a way past the Czech defence. With 8:27 gone in the final frame, Matyas Mares doubled the lead, finishing off a play set up by Jakub Viedemann, and the Czechs saw out the remaining 11-plus minutes without trouble.
The Turning Point
The power-play goal by Kucera late in the second period was decisive. Switzerland had successfully killed the first period without conceding and looked comfortable at even strength, but the penalty against the Swiss allowed the Czechs to establish the lead they would not relinquish. Once Mares added the second early in the third, the game was effectively out of reach.
Key Performers
- Matyas Kucera (Czech Republic U18) — Scored the opening goal on the power play, the game's defining moment. His finish at 14:06 of the second period shifted the momentum entirely.
- Matyas Mares (Czech Republic U18) — Added the insurance goal early in the third period to kill the game off.
- Silvano Andri (Switzerland U18) — The Swiss goalkeeper kept his side in the contest, particularly during the first period, but could do little about either goal against.
Player of the match: Matyas Kucera
By the Numbers — Interpreted
The 2-0 scoreline reflects a tighter contest than the margin suggests. The first period ended goalless, and the game was decided by a single power-play goal until the eighth minute of the third period. Czech Republic's discipline in protecting their lead after going 2-0 up was the difference — they did not allow Switzerland back into the game. The clean sheet is notable given that these two sides have historically produced high-scoring affairs: 92% of their 50 meetings have gone over 2.5 goals, and both teams have scored in 70% of those fixtures.
What It Means
This was the first of two scheduled friendlies between these sides in Davos, part of the U18 National Team Summer Camp. The teams meet again on 25 July 2026 at 12:00 local time. Czech Republic U18 extended their unbeaten run against Switzerland U18 to six meetings, having won the previous five. For Switzerland, the result continues a challenging stretch against a Czech side that has dominated the head-to-head historically (43 wins from 50 meetings).
Verdict
A professional, disciplined performance from Czech Republic U18 who let the game breathe in the first period, struck on the power play when it mattered, and shut the door in the third. Switzerland U18 were competitive but lacked the cutting edge to break down a well-organised Czech defence.
Match Events
Key match events between Switzerland U18 and Czech Republic U18 — 2 goals and 0 cards recorded during the match.
Power-play
Rivalry since 2015
Switzerland U18 vs Czech Republic U18 Head to Head Results· 50
Switzerland U18 and Czech Republic U18 have met 50 times — Switzerland U18 won 8, Czech Republic U18 won 42, with 0 draws. Their rivalry dates back to 2015. Czech Republic U18 leads the head-to-head with 42 victories from 50 meetings. A combined 291 goals have been scored across these fixtures, averaging 5.82 per match (90 for the home side, 201 for the visitors). Both teams scored in 35 matches (70%). Over 2.5 goals landed in 46 games (92%), making it a fixture that tends to produce goals. The highest-scoring encounter finished 6–5 in 2023.
Statistics are for informational purposes only. Past performance does not guarantee future results.
API data: 25 Jul 2026