Translated material
Pre-launch solitaire
The World Cup starts tomorrow in Switzerland
Experts call only two teams - Russia and Canada - the favorites of the World Hockey Championship, which will be held in Switzerland. The rest of the teams should serve as a background and, judging by the lineups, they are quite happy with this. Only the home team can present a surprise - it plans to finally win medals of some merit. But all attention will be focused on the team of Vyacheslav Bykov and the North Americans.Favorites
Russia. The fact that Washington managed to turn the tide of the playoff series against the Rangers a little excited the coaching staff of the Russian team. The team seriously hopes for Alexander Ovechkin and Alexander Semin; this will be a solid reinforcement, unlike Nikolai Zherdev from New York. In principle, Vyacheslav Bykov’s team is already complete. Fedor Tyutin from Columbus will soon join the team, three extra players will be sent home, and Bern will have two substitutes.
The team is now facing maximum goals - to repeat last year's success. But the Hockey Federation does not hide that any medals will be assessed as a positive result, and the main tournament will take place a year later in Olympic Vancouver. If the Russian team fails to reach the medals, then it is possible that Vyacheslav Bykov and Igor Zakharkin will be fired.
Canada. For obvious reasons, the Canadians were unable to bring the strongest team, but this year there is special attention to the national team. Coach Lindy Ruff is openly told that he must put the “lucky Russians” in their place. The final team composition has not yet been formed until the first round of the playoffs has ended, but now there is a very trained defense, and in the attack there are people like Dany Heatley, the most useful player of the last championship, and Jason Spezza. Columbus' Rick Nash, who suffered a stupid overtime ejection in last year's final, is also expected to attend. Among the goalkeepers is Fred Brathwaite, a friend from his performances for Ak Bars, but he will be abandoned as soon as a more worthy candidate appears. However, Dwayne Roloson could easily become number one.
Finland . Last year we easily won bronze medals, and in general we had a very strong tournament, with the exception of the semi-final against the Russian team, in which we lost with a score of 0:4. Even now, without taking into account the hockey players playing in the playoffs, this is a fairly solid team with no weaknesses.
Contenders
Czech Republic. Not the strongest squad is going to Switzerland; many hockey players refused to participate in the tournament due to injuries. But the headache of the coaching staff is the goalkeeper position. It is possible that Martin Prusek from Dynamo Riga will play most of the matches. Playing in the KHL championship, he showed a good level, but then failed in the playoffs. The Czechs' only hope is to attack; the team has ten players from the Russian Championship, but it is unlikely that this team will be able to become a revelation. But a medal would be an ideal result for this team. After all, Jaromir Jagr will finally play in the national team, who can become for the Czechs the leader that Sergei Fedorov became for ours a year ago.
Sweden. After Tre Krunur played ingloriously in Canada, missing out on medals, the team decided to abandon older players. Hungry young people and only four NHL hockey players are going to Switzerland. It is clear that the Scandinavians can fail and win something with equal success.
USA. Over the past 15 years, the Americans have never sent journalists to the tournament; almost no one knows anything about the World Cup in this country. Now Ron Wilson is seriously short-handed; he is waiting for players who will finish playing in the NHL playoffs. Last year, the US team lost to the Finns in overtime in the quarterfinals, but left a very good impression. It is possible that they may arrange a surprise in Switzerland.
Capable of surprise
Switzerland. The hosts of the tournament have long been trying to enter, if not the elite, then at least get close to it. Ralph Krueger, the team's head coach, claims that now there is every chance of getting into at least the top four. Perhaps it will work out, considering that the other favorite teams have local problems with their composition, and almost all the strongest have come to the Swiss.
Slovakia. Last year the team unexpectedly failed and almost left the strongest group. True, in the consolation round the Slovaks crushed their weakest opponents and quickly retained their place in the elite. This year, many strong hockey players from the NHL refused to participate in the World Championship, and the hockey players playing in Russia will become the leaders. For example, Martin Hossa, who pleased the Riga fans, and Branko Radiovojevic, who got into excellent shape at Spartak.