Main interest
This will be the fourteenth attempt of the Russian team to take the gold, which she got in 1993 from the first call. Repeatedly changed coaches, courses and vectors - it is useless. All that was achieved was the heroic silver of 2002 and the bronze of 2005. A new attempt is another vector. The legendary hockey player at the head of the federation and the champion of the 93rd as head coach. That is, there are more than enough victorious traditions in the top leadership of the national team. But not among the players. The nine bronze medalists of the 2005 World Cup are all our wealth.
The composition, assembled by Vyacheslav Bykov, has a clear roll towards attack. But the roll is forced. Not many high-quality defense players are born in Russia, and some of its best representatives have remained employed in the NHL. It is worth adding Volchenkov and Tyutin to the team, and she will sharply add to the balance. But while they are not helpers.
Like the two Enkhael goalkeepers. Therefore, this position inspires concern. And the point is not that Koshechkin and Eremenko are weak goalkeepers. Who knows, maybe this championship will be the high point of one of them. But this can only be assumed, because they have never played in such tournaments. Eremenko, however, traveled to Austria in 2005, but did not go on ice.
When the composition lacks balance, it needs to be achieved tactically. So the challenge for the coaching staff is very difficult. Bykov has already proved that he knows how to bend his line, which is very good, given the degree of hype - the tournament is a home one, but Putin himself promised the victory in the World Cup (not Bykov, however, the Tretyak). The main thing is not to go too far ...
In the spotlight
Alexander OVECHKIN . For him, this will be the third adult world championship. Last year, he was the only Enkhaelian in the team and not very well cope with the functions of a leader. Let's hope it works out now.
Overboard
Alexey KOVALEV . Quite a few strong players had the opportunity to come to Bykov's national team, but did not. Someone due to injuries, someone fundamentally, someone even late. And only Kovalev coaches said plainly that he did not need the team. Well, that is their right.
Favorites
Canada
In the rank of favorites Canadians in any tournament by definition. Moreover, a year ago in Austria they were left without medals - this should add to their motivation. As legendary general manager of the national team, one legend, Wayne Gretzky, was replaced by another - Steve Aizerman. He may not have enough managerial experience, but he has more than enough victorious. And the head coach is again Andy Murray, who knows firsthand how the world championships are won. The only disadvantages of this specialist are the fact that he won both his victories at the championships held in Finland.
The composition of Canadians is habitually good. Last year's Stanley Cup finalists Dwayne Roloson and Cam Ward will compete for a place in the goal, the latter becoming then the most valuable player in the playoffs. Qualitative selection of defenders, although not having stars. Cool forwards are in abundance - Kammalleri, Dawn, Nash, Staal brothers, Justin Williams.
In the spotlight
Eric STAAL - Jordan STAAL . The Canadian national team has many strong players, but it is especially curious to watch the duo of the brothers. At a professional level, they have not yet played in the same team. It would be nice if Andy Murray were interested in combining them into one trio.
Overboard
SIDNEY CROSBY . He will miss the 2007 World Cup due to a fracture received on March 16 in a match with Montreal. Perhaps the main loss of the championship.
Finland
Last year, the Finns were miraculous at how good they were at the Turin Olympics and made a very good impression at the World Championships in Riga. And let them not be able to count on their main stars - Saku Koivu and Olli Yokinen, the existing composition is able to compete for gold. After this championship, the head coach Erkka Westerlund leaves the team, and of course he would like to leave on a major note. The Finns have traditionally strong goalkeepers - Enhaeolv Lehtonen and Norren. Not very eminent, but fairly even selection of defenders led by Petteri Nummelin, who will play at the thirteenth world championship (the same, by the way, at the Tretyak). And a balanced attack group, in which the young centers of Mikko Koivu, Tuomo Ruutu and veteran Ville Peltonen stand out.
In the spotlight
Kari LEHTONEN . For the first time in his Enhael career, the goalkeeper did without serious injuries. And he spent the whole season the first number of Atlanta, finally beginning to justify the status of one of the most talented goalkeepers in the world.
Overboard
Saku KOIVU . The Finnish national team will have to do without a long-term leader. Koivu Sr. will miss the World Cup due to health problems.
Applicants
Sweden
After winning the Olympics and World Cup last year, the Swedes have the right to step into the shadows. Moreover, Bengt-Oke Gustafsson was unable to bring a huge number of leading players to Russia. Forsberg and Sundin miss the championship for health reasons, are busy in the playoffs of Lundqvist, Lidstrom, Zetterberg, the Sedina brothers. Therefore, the Swedes can hardly be called the main contenders for gold. But the cunning Gustafsson is able to compete for medals with this composition.
In the spotlight
Christian JUSELIUS . Perhaps the only hockey player in the national team of Sweden, playing a more or less noticeable role in the NHL. Last season was the best for the Calgary striker in the overseas career - he won 77 points in 81 matches.
Overboard
Peter FORSBERG . The long-suffering Foppa, it seems, wanted to come to Moscow. But numerous injuries still forced him to take up his health instead.
Czech
Alois Gadamchik's team played in the finals of two previous championships. On the one hand, this is an occasion to include the Czechs among the contenders for victory in Moscow. On the other hand, it would be time to know the honor. Fortunately, there are enough people who want to get to the finals. Despite the presence in the impressive group of Enhael players, the Czech team does not look intimidating. Largely because all of these are fairly average level players. Almost all the stars of the Czech national team miss this world championship for various reasons.
In the spotlight
Marek ZHIDLITSKI . A key player in the majority team of the Czech Republic. This season, due to the high competition at Nashville, he was more often forced to engage in immediate duties, and these skills will also be useful at the World Cup.
Overboard
Tomas KABERLE . Today, the best Czech defender received a recommendation from the Toronto leadership to abandon the World Cup in order to heal injuries.
In ambush
Slovakia
Julius Schupler's team is not one of those who show stable results. But it’s capable of firing at any moment, it’s almost impossible to predict this shot. However, the Slovaks have very high chances for a successful performance at the 2007 World Cup. The attacking line is traditionally strong - Gossa, Demitra, Gaborik, Shatan. Hara will add reliability to defense. And at the last frontier, most likely, the bet will be made on the 21-year-old Yaroslav Galak from Montreal. He spent the ending of the season quite well, replacing the injured Frenchman Yue and moving the experienced Swiss Ebisher into the reserve.
In the spotlight
Zdeno HARA . It is on his mighty, but not omnipotent shoulders that the main burden on the defense of the Slovak goal will fall. Will spend a huge amount of time on ice, playing in both special teams.
Overboard
Peter BUDAI . This season was the first issue of Colorado, crowding out Jose Theodore with his six millionth contract. With such a goalkeeper, the Slovaks could not worry about the rear, but Budai misses the World Cup for personal reasons.
USA
The Americans won the world championships only twice - in the distant 1933 and 1960. So with regard to this tournament, their enrollment in the “Big Seven” is very conditional (this, however, also applies to the Russian team: three medals in 14 years are a dubious reason). However, the team at the US team is interesting. Only too young. It seems that the Americans have already begun preparations for the Vancouver Olympics. Here you will find both the Johnson namesake defenders duet, and the main competitor Evgeni Malkin in the fight for the prize of the best newcomer of the season in the NHL Paul Shtastny, and Boston hope Phil Kessel. The chances of gold for the US team are, of course, illusory, but it can anyone nerves. Including, to itself - youth it is characteristic.
In the spotlight
Paul HUNDRED . The son of the famous Slovak striker Peter Štastna, despite his tender age, is doomed to become one of the leaders of the American team. He spent an amazing debut season in the NHL, gaining 78 points - the best indicator in this composition of the US team.
Overboard
Doug WATE . Experienced Americans do not really favor world championships at all. 36-year-old Doug Waite came to Austria two years ago and would not have hindered the young American team in Moscow, but decided to skip this tournament.