In a sensational opener for the 2024 masters, the Germans battled the French in a titanic European Darby, and claimed the first win of the tournament, in the first overtime. In dramatic style Daniel Steinke opend the scoring and upset the French expectations of dominating the game from the start. Their new kit is a sparkling affair, and the French food their sparkle when in the 2nd period Albert Pierre-yves scored for Les blues and rebalanced the game. The French soon had further opportunities to consolidate when german Mario Willkom went to the penalty box, but could not find the gap around DOMINIK WICH | #31, who played a sensational game, facing 27 shots from the sharp shooting French. Going to overtime the tension was felt in the whole arena, and it got to France number LOYEUX KÉVIN | #36, who was called for hooking. It only took the german captain Christian Mader 20 seconds to seal the victory with a one-timer at the corner and setting history with the first win of the 2024 World Cup against surely one of the perennial favourites. France will regroup and come back strong for sure, but the Germans, who were silver medalist only two years ago, have the potential firepower to go all the way with this performance.