Ice Hockey World Championship: Record spectacle nears climax

Neither 20 years ago nor at the 2015 tournament was there a medal ceremony on Wenceslas Square in the center of Prague after the tournament. In 2004, the team was surprisingly eliminated in the quarter-finals against the USA, and eleven years later the Americans again ended the Czech fans’ hopes of at least the “consolation prize” of bronze – but only in the match for third place. This year, too, the Americans, who are second in Group B, are standing in the way of the Czechs on Thursday (8:20 p.m., live on ORF Sport +).

In general, the Czech Republic has been waiting for a victory parade through the streets of the “Golden City” for a long time. The men with the coats of arms of Bohemia, Moravia and Silesia on their chest won the sixth and last title in the post-Czechoslovakia era in Germany in 2010. Since then, only three bronze medals have been added – the last to date was last year in Tampere, Finland.

AP/CTK/Vit Simanek David Pastrnak (l.) is supposed to give the Czech offensive an additional boost in the hot phase

The Czechs’ performances so far, led by a great Roman Cervenka, have at least given rise to hope that they will at least be in contention for medals. In the preliminary round, the Czech Republic did its job brilliantly, for example with a 4-0 win over Austria. They beat Olympic champions Finland 1-0 in a penalty shootout, and only lost to Switzerland and Canada in a shootout or in overtime. Just in time for the knockout round, the team was beefed up with superstar David Pastrnak from the National Hockey League (NHL), who can also be seen on World Cup posters.

TV note

The quarterfinal games Canada – Slovakia (4.20pm) and Czech Republic – USA (8.20pm) can be seen live on Thursday on ORF Sport + and in the live stream.

Czechs “have something to do”

The Czech fans’ expectations of their own team are correspondingly high. Coach Radim Rulik’s team took the first step by reaching the quarter-finals. “They definitely have work to do and want at least a medal. The pressure from the public is great, and even if you see the Czechs on the ice, they are very focused,” ORF expert Peter Znenahlik also sees the hosts on the right track to their desired goal so far.

For the 60-year-old, the Czechs are still among the crème de la crème of international ice hockey, even though in the recent past Canada, Sweden and Finland – and before the war of aggression against Ukraine, Russia – have snatched the titles. “I wouldn’t say that the Czechs have dropped in level, but that the others have developed more,” said Znenahlik. This is reflected above all in the number of players in the National Hockey League (NHL). Despite a few superstars like Pastrnak from the Boston Bruins, “the Czechs are lagging behind a bit.”

ORF/Karl Huber Peter Znenahlik has been an ORF expert at major tournaments since the 2005 World Cup in Vienna

According to Znenahlik, the key to success for the Czech Republic selection could be defense. “This year you have a team that is incredibly defensively oriented, also because of the World Cup at home, and is working hard to get points,” said the long-time team player. The stumbling block on the way to the big goal could be the attack. Especially in the early stages of the tournament, the team was “not creative,” said Znenahlik, referring to the 0-0 draw against Finland and the 1-1 draw against Switzerland after 60 minutes: “But they don’t concede much at the back, that’s just that the basis and important.”

Attendance record again in danger

The euphoria in the venues Prague and Ostrava definitely deserved to be crowned. As with the 2015 World Cup, Austria’s neighbor has ice hockey fever. Regardless of whether it is a traditional beer cellar, a “beisl” or a trendy bar, a live picture of the games can be found on screens almost everywhere. Decorated shop windows are part of the cityscape in Prague these days, and in shopping centers you can decorate yourself accordingly in temporary fan shops. “The mood is almost even better than last time,” said Znenahlik, who believes the Czechs will definitely get a place in the semi-finals: “But then the air will get thin.”

Austria’s best World Cup moments

From an Austrian perspective, the Ice Hockey World Championship in the Czech Republic was full of highlights. The comeback against Canada and the late victory against Finland are just two of these breathtaking moments.

The number of fans in both halls is huge, just as it was nine years ago. Even when the outsiders duel, the O2 Arena is well filled. The average number of paying fans at Austrian games is over 15,600. The game between Austria and Great Britain took place in front of over 16,500 visitors on a working day at lunchtime. In Ostrava, too, the CEZ Arena is usually full during World Cup games. Improving the attendance record set at the same location nine years ago is a realistic goal. At that time, a total of 741,700 fans made the pilgrimage to the games; on average, a World Cup game was played in front of almost 11,600 fans.

Reuters/Eva Korinkova The Austrian fans played a part in the World Cup in the Czech Republic approaching a new record

The Austrian fans, who made a pilgrimage to the Czech capital from the start, also contributed an important part to the fantastic atmosphere in Prague. The historic comeback against Canada and the subsequent, dramatic first victory in history over Finland sparked even more interest at home. In the final game against the British, the O2 Arena was firmly in red-white-red hands. Except for the game against the hosts, Austria had the Czech audience on its side – also because of its ideas. “It was a dream to play there,” said defender Clemens Unterweger on behalf of the team.

Ice Hockey World Championships in Prague and Ostrava

Quarterfinals: May 23rd Canada Slovakia 4:20 p.m. * May 23rd Switzerland Germany 4:20 p.m. May 23rd USA Czech Republic 8:20 p.m. * May 23rd Sweden Finland 8:20 p.m. Semifinals: May 25th tba tba 2:20 p.m. May 25th tba tba 6:20 p.m. Match for third place: May 26th Loser HF1 Loser HF2 3:20 p.m. Final: May 26th Winner HF1 Winner HF2 8:20 p.m.

* Live in ORF Sport +