PRAGUE, 6 May 2004 — Switzerland overcame their longstanding rivals Germany 1-0 to clinch the last place in the knockout round of the Ice Hockey World Championships here on Tuesday.

The result lifted Switzerland into fourth place in Group E with four points from five matches, six points behind the group winners Czech Republic.

Meanwhile the United States, who were already assured of a place in the quarterfinals ahead of the last Group F match, thrashed Denmark 8-3.

The US team, who qualified in fourth place with Russia missing out in fifth, were to face tournament hosts the Czech Republic in the quarterfinals the next day.

The Czechs are the only team in the tournament with a 100 percent record.

In yesterday’s other match Sweden were to play against Latvia.

Today, Canada will clash with Finland for a place in the semifinals, while Slovakia pit themselves against Switzerland for a place in the last four.

Germany and Switzerland were battling for the initiative throughout the physical opening period, but both teams missed all of their rare scoring opportunities.

Switzerland, desperately seeking the win to prolong their world championship campaign, broke the deadlock 13:29 into the second through Valentin Wirz, who fired in from close range following Germany’s mixup in defense.

Germany began peppering Swiss goalie Martin Gerber with shots but to no avail as he produced 27 saves in the game to record his second shutout here as the Swiss squad recorded their 39th win over Germany in the nations’ 115th head-to-head meeting since 1910.

In the match that finalized the qualifying round but had no bearing on the tables, the Danes and the Americans threw caution to the wind and traded goals throughout the first period.

However, the Americans edged ahead 4-3 by the first intermission.

In the second they moved up a gear to score four more goals before the second period-ending horn.

Later on the US team eased up their pressure but their domination was never in doubt.

In the relegation group, Japan and France, both already demoted to the first division, drew 2-2.