Ice Hockey: Britain face old rivals
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.ON 4 April Great Britain swept aside China 14-0 to take the gold medal in the Pool B World Championship and qualify for a place in the qualifying tournament for next year's Olympics.
On Saturday the week-long tournament starts at the Sheffield Arena with the hosts facing four strong teams in a round-robin competition, with the winner going to Norway.
The first opponents are Poland, coincidentally Britain's first scalp in Pool B. Hopes of another win should be tempered by the fact that the 5-4 win was against a team tired from a long coach journey and facing a side they knew nothing about.
Monday's opponents, Japan, were also beaten 5-4 in Pool B. In Norio Suzuki and Motoki Ebina they have two players with seven world championship medals each.
Poland and Japan may be beaten again by a British side now 14 players in a 25-strong squad who shout for the puck with trans-Atlantic accents, but one of their two remaining opponents look likely to make it to Norway.
Latvia's last international appearance was in 1936. Now independent again they are calling home their players, and one in particular who has outstanding experience in the sport's toughest position playing in the toughest league in the world. Arturs Irbe was a member of the Sovietworld championship squad in 1989 and 1990 but he arrives in Sheffield from the NHL's San Jose Sharks.
Then there is Slovakia, who have Peter Stasny, one of New Jersey Devils' top scorers last season. If he is joined by Peter Bondra (Washington Capitals) and Zdeno Ciger (Edmonton Oilers), they could be greeting their former team-mates from Czechoslovakia next year.
If it all sounds doom and gloom for Britain, there is some hope. The vocal home support will number nearly 8,000 and neither Latvia or Slovakia have experienced the physical back-checking British side before. Scott Neil, one of the British-born players, said: 'We have no illusions - they are the toughest opposition we faced to date.'
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments