Because of Germany's success in the previous year, the draw for this year's championship guaranteed a final four berth for either Germany, Switzerland or Belarus.
Unfortunately, this meant that for Slovakia's first time playing at the top level, they would face Finland, Russia, and the Czech Republic, in the first round.
The Swiss made the most of their opportunity, becoming just the seventh nation to finish in the top four.
On the final day the Russians and the Finns both won to finish tied for first, and since they had tied each other, it came down to goal differential in the final round.
[1] On the final day of competition, Slovakia avenged their surprising loss in 1993, by beating, and in effect relegating, Belarus.