Not the first
The Siberian city with half a million people has already hosted the World Bandy Championship. The truth is just youthful, in 2002. That tournament pleasantly amazed FIB President Rolf Chek. Most of all - 30 thousandth audience of the finale. In which, we note, the Russian team did not reach. Those records of attendance of youthful fights are kept to this day. By the way, Kemerovo together with Irkutsk are leading in the number of fans in the matches of the national championship.
It was the enormous popularity of hockey that became the decisive factor in choosing Kemerovo as the address of the real world championship, not youthful. By the way, four thousand subscriptions for all matches of the 2007 World Cup were dismissed from the box office on the first day of sale!
Belarusian pancake
For the year and a half that has passed since the appointment of Kemerovo as the host of the tournament, the Chemist and Shakhtar stadiums were reconstructed here, an ice palace was built, where training will be held during the championship. By the standards of the Trans-Urals, the arenas must be rated the highest. Over a billion rubles have already been spent on the tournament - a gigantic amount for the hinterland.
However, this is bad luck: the first pancake of the organizers came out lumpy. Much earlier than the deadline, the team of now snowless Belarus came to Siberia. And it so happened that they did not meet her, they did not deliver her to the hotel. Add fuel to the fire and a note in one federal publication. His local correspondent mocked the first guests of the championship. And now Belarusians are going to sue the newspaper.
For yourself and for Sochi
Following the traces of the described events, the organizers asked reporters to cover the championship kindly and correctly. Light colors are also needed in order to bring the old Russian dream closer: the inclusion of ball hockey in the program of the Winter Olympics.
So far, this species on the planet is not so popular as to encompass 25 countries necessary for Olympic recognition. Nevertheless, bandy can make his debut at the Games already in 2014, and in Sochi. And then Russia will have a real chance of by no means superfluous gold.
It is believed that if the provincial Kemerovo manages to flawlessly hold the winter world championship, this will seriously increase Russia's chances of getting the Sochi Olympics. Kemerovo residents themselves have no doubt that their city, which is not spoiled by events of such a scale, will arrange the tournament with such a warm welcome that it is unthinkable in the capitals tired of the guests.
Speaking of heat. Forecasters promise serious frosts during the tournament, at minus 30 ...
Waiting for the trick
A sports festival on ice has two mutually complementary components: organizational and sports. If the first ingredient is exclusively in the hands of the organizers of the tournament, then the second is not subject to them. It means, of course, the victory of the Russian team. It would seem: within the native walls, but with such support ... However, many experts and fans are waiting from the wards of Sergei Lomanov, the senior trick.
For connoisseurs, it is no secret that Russian hockey is divided by the animosity of coalitions: eastern (led by Kuzbass) and western (Zorkiy and Dynamo). They say that the “West” is interested in the Kemerovo championship failing. In this case, the basis of the national team are the players of the Moscow Dynamo. And evil tongues (worse than pistols) claim that they will play half-heartedly.
However, a much more convincing opinion is that Sergey Lomanov Sr., one of the greatest hockey players of the past, and now the head coach of the national team, will not sacrifice his reputation and will conscientiously work for the victory of the Russians.
Do not believe the numbers
A year ago, in Sweden, the Russian team led by Vladimir Yanko in the finals of the World Cup snatched the hosts 3-2 victory. That Victoria was iconic. Indeed, for her the Russian team for three years did not get to the top of the podium. Two of these tournaments took place in Russia, and it is impossible to evaluate their results otherwise than as a fiasco. Indeed, for the national team, which eleven times in a row became the best on the planet, any place below the first is a failure. And the third consecutive championship, lost at home - it will be too much.
Against the Russians is another statistical fact. Since 2001, no team can defend the championship title in the next championship. We will be comforted by the fact that people do not play hockey, but people.
Tasty
In January, Dynamo player Sergey Lomanov, Jr., one of the leaders of the national team, was injured in a match with Zorkiy. His participation in the World Cup was in question, but he was included in the application. It was Lomanov Jr. who, in last year’s final, scored two goals out of three to the Swedes. It is expected that he will make a powerful attacking bunch of the Russian team, along with teammate Sergei Obukhov. He, the top scorer of the world championships, in this tournament should conquer the peak of one hundred goals scored. Before him was just a ball. So the anniversary is already possible in Sunday's match with the Norwegians.
The main rival of the Russians - the Swedes - has practically no serious losses. Only striker Patrick Nilsson, who has 55 goals in the championships, will not come to Kemerovo. For reasons known only to Swedes, it was not included in the composition. All other stars of the Tre Kronur Siberia will visit. And, of course, with thoughts of revenge.
The confrontation between the leaders of the world bandy is by far the tidbit of the tournament pie.
From "A" to "B"
In the strongest group “A” surprises are possible from an experienced Finnish team and a good team from Kazakhstan. Without a fight, they won’t give up their favorites. And the Finns, in addition, brought a lot of hockey players who won the 2004 World Cup in Sweden.
The last place in this six will probably be taken by the national team of Belarus. And then in a butt match for the right to play among the strongest, and in a year she will meet with the Americans - the clear favorites of group “B”.
By the way, the national team of Latvia will debut at this championship. Only there has not yet been a single national championship, and the basis of the national team is “washers”.
Alexander CHERNOV
Schedule of matches of the championship in group “A”
01/28. Finland - Belarus. Kazakhstan - Sweden. Russia - Norway.
01/29. Sweden - Belarus. Norway - Kazakhstan. Finland - Russia.
01/30. Belarus - Norway. Kazakhstan - Russia. Sweden - Finland.
01/31. Belarus - Kazakhstan. Norway - Finland. Sweden - Russia.
2.02. Sweden - Norway. Finland - Kazakhstan. Russia - Belarus.
3.02. Semifinals.
4.02. Match for 3rd place and final.