Here’s what you need to know about the Ice Hockey World Cup

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Is it the ice hockey world championship yet?

Yes, Fifa boss Gianni Infantino can only dream of it (so far): the World Cup takes place every year – so it doesn’t have the same appeal as in the football circus, in which the World Cup only takes place every four years. But this is how the international association IIHF finances its activities. Finally, payment must be made for the (also annual) World Cup tournaments for women, juniors and lower levels. This time the World Championships will take place from 12 to 28 May in Tampere (Fi) and Riga (Let).

Wasn’t there the World Cup recently?

Yes, last year the World Cup was really held in Finland (Tampere/Helsinki). 2021 was only played in Riga because Minsk (Belarus) was no longer politically tenable. And now Tampere and Riga have stepped in after St. Petersburg and Russia (as well as Belarus) were banned for invading Ukraine.

How is it played?

There are two groups of eight teams each, in which everyone plays against everyone else. The last two of the group dismount. The top four qualify for the quarter-finals and then play crosswise (1st vs. 4th, 2nd vs. 3rd) for a spot in the semi-finals in Tampere. Except: if hosts Finland and Latvia occupy places 1 and 4, they will not meet, but the quarter-finals will be played within the group. In the event of a tie, the following criteria determine the ranking: 1. Points from head-to-head matches. 2. Goal difference from the direct encounters. 3. Higher number of goals scored in direct duels. 4. Compete against the second highest ranked team.

Who is the World Cup favorite?

Betting provider Sporttip sees defending champion and host country Finland in pole position at odds of 3.05, followed by Canada (3.7), Sweden (5.4), Czech Republic (7.05), USA (10.6) … and Switzerland (11.2). If you trust the bookmakers as much as you trust the weathermen, you can bet your money on the biggest outsider, Hungary (900). But that is not recommended.

Where can you watch the World Cup fun on TV?

SRF 2 broadcasts all national team matches. In addition, selected group matches, a quarter-final, the semi-finals and the final are shown. Reto Müller and ex-Nati defender Philippe Furrer are at the microphone. MySports even delivers all games live. Germany’s matches and the knockout phase can be seen on Sport1.

How has Switzerland fared in recent years?

In the last five participations, Patrick Fischer’s team reached the quarter-finals, but always failed all but one: In 2018, the national team advanced to the final and only had to admit defeat in the penalty shoot-out. This time it gets Switzerland (7th in the world ranking) with promoted Slovenia (19th), Kazakhstan (16th), Norway (12th), host country Latvia (11th), Slovakia (8th) and the Czech Republic (6th) and Canada. (2nd) to do.

Are there also players from the National League playing?

And yes, each of the 14 NL teams has at least one representative at the World Cup. The ZSC Lions with Hrubec (Tsch), Lehtonen and Lammikko (Fi), Guebey and Texier (Fr) and the Nati defenders Kukan and Marti form the largest contingent of players who have played in Switzerland this season. Remarkable: the Swiss national champion La Chaux-de-Fonds has three World Cup participants with Achermann (Austria), Andersons (Lett^) and Olden (No).

Source : Blick

Emma

I’m Emma Jack, a news website author at 24 News Reporters. I have been in the industry for over five years and it has been an incredible journey so far. I specialize in sports reporting and am highly knowledgeable about the latest trends and developments in this field.