In order not to have bad thoughts in the boring hotel bubble after the first World Cup defeat, national coach Toni Söderholm drove his team out of Riga to a sand dune for fun on Thursday. Just don’t think about ice hockey or talk about it was the motto. “We give the players completely ice hockey-free,” said Söderholm before the short trip, which took place under the strict Corona protection regulations. “That’s where we gather our strengths and strengthen ourselves on several fronts, and then we’ll come back.”
Only on Saturday against defending champion Finland will the selection of the German Ice Hockey Federation (DEB) continue at the World Cup. After the unexpected 2: 3 against Kazakhstan on Wednesday, despite the three opening wins from the remaining preliminary rounds against Söderholm’s Finnish compatriots, the US-Americans on Monday and World Cup hosts Latvia on Tuesday, a few points still need to be achieved in order to be able to return to the quarter-finals close. “We don’t have to make ourselves smaller than we are,” said defense attorney Moritz Seider in view of the difficult tasks that followed and promised: “We will fight back.”
Heavy load in the first days of the World Cup
For that, a lot has to go better than in Wednesday’s game against the uncomfortable newly promoted Kazakhstan. Less than 48 hours after the highlight against the 26-time title holder Canada (3: 1), the German national team, which had been convincing so far, was no longer capable of another top performance. “Maybe we were a little slow in our heads, and that’s why the quality wasn’t visible at the crucial moment on the ice,” said Söderholm, also considering the mental and physical strain of the first few days of the World Cup: “I think it’s good in this case that we can press the reset button. “
For the only time at this World Cup, the German team in Riga has two days off after a game, which is good for regeneration on the one hand. On the other hand, Söderholm and sports director Christian Künast indicated that this could be difficult, especially after a defeat under the current circumstances. Just out into Riga’s beautiful old town to have a coffee is not possible in view of the Corona regulations. The greatest feeling in the hotel is a meeting room, which also serves as a dining room, equipped with a ping-pong table and a foosball table, which is only available to the German team. “This room, the room, the hall – that’s it,” said Künast, listing the possibilities for the players so far. The danger of the camp crash is great.
Therefore Söderholm canceled the training on Thursday and accepted the offer of the World Cup organizers to visit one of two possible destinations outside of Riga. With a police escort, coaches and players were driven out of town to a dune. “It’s just us, no other person is there,” reported Künast, almost wistfully. “That the aspect of fresh air comes in.” Obviously, that alone is difficult.
Many nations miss top stars
It becomes clear: Under these circumstances, the team spirit is more important than ever at this tournament, and it seems to be great at the moment. “The team is a unit. We will go our own way, «promised Künast, who, like DEB President Franz Reindl, sees a historic opportunity for the German team at this tournament. Due to the circumstances, many NHL top stars such as Germany’s Sportsman of the Year 2020, Leon Draisaitl, were unable to travel to Riga. After the Edmonton Oilers’ playoffs, only his teammate Dominik Kahun was able to fly to the Latvian capital quickly.
So it is for many nations this year, which makes the performance structure in the World Cup tournament between the nations much closer together. A number of top nations are already under pressure, including Canada, despite the number of NHL professionals in the team, threatening a historic preliminary round. This could be the chance for Germany to win a medal as a collective, similar to the 2018 Olympics. “It has been proven that the World Cup is incredibly open and a lucky bag,” said Reindl. “Nothing is certain, the circumstances are completely different from before, but the sport is good.” Dpa / nd
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