2010 World Championships

Post by **batdad** » Wed May 19, 2010 12:34 am

It is mainly because they are considered historically the two most passionate hockey countries. There is some challenge to that from Sweden, Finland and the Czechs now...but they are still historically the elite. They so rarely go best on best, it is tough to deal with.

Post by **McQwak** » Thu May 20, 2010 5:59 pm

Sorry, Finns, we were better the whole game

Post by **Jypfan92** » Thu May 20, 2010 6:05 pm

Better this way, we would have no changes against Sweden.

Post by **Tasku** » Thu May 20, 2010 6:12 pm

batdad wrote:It is mainly because they are considered historically the two most passionate hockey countries. There is some challenge to that from Sweden, Finland and the Czechs now...but they are still historically the elite. They so rarely go best on best, it is tough to deal with.

Actually Finland and Canada are the only countries in the world where ice hockey is the most popular sport (by fan base). In Russia, Sweden, Czech Republic and every other country soccer (or some other sport) is more popular.

So you might actually say that Finland and Canada are infact the most passionate hockey countries, per capita that is.

Post by **batdad** » Thu May 20, 2010 6:26 pm

Nah, there is no rivalry Canada- Finland. Who cares what Finland does. They can't score so they don't matter. I know in Russia soccer is more popular, but they still have a MONSTER hockey fan base.

The traditional Canada-Russia rivalry is not as strong as it once was...Canada-USA is huge now as well, and Canada-Sweden is big too. Canada-Finland? Not so much.

I thought maybe Canada-Czech would develop after the Nagano games, but to no avail. Canadians as smart as we are realized that there was only one reason we lost that game, and once that reason was gone, when we play best on best with Czech Canada would win 90% of the time. USA is the real challenge now, and Russia if they ever get their act together off the ice will be as well.

Post by **Tasku** » Thu May 20, 2010 6:34 pm

Yes, I was merely pointing out that Russia and Canada are not the most passionate hockey countries, if you look at the portion of a nation's population who are into hockey. On that statistic Finland is no 2 after Canada on both popularity of the game by attendance at professional hockey matches -- the fan base -- and percentage of registered players compared to the nation's population.

Post by **batdad** » Thu May 20, 2010 6:40 pm

Pfft. Finland loves ski jumping. Not hockey.

Post by **Tasku** » Thu May 20, 2010 6:44 pm

I'm prettu sure we don't have 60 000 registered ski jumpers

Post by **batdad** » Thu May 20, 2010 6:46 pm

All those guys playing hockey are just not good enough to be ski jumpers, so the army forced em into hockey.

Post by **joehelmer** » Thu May 20, 2010 6:52 pm

So who do you think will win the game between Canada-Russia?

Russia seems to have the best team in this championship, their whole olympic team has gathered up once again. But I hope for a canadian "upset", it would be great to have a Sweden-Canada final again.

And with that said I think Sweden will beat Czech in the semi final, the swedish team has improved the last games since they lost to Czech in the first stage, and to me the championship hasn't really started in stage 1.

Post by **batdad** » Thu May 20, 2010 7:02 pm

Russia will win.

Post by **Tasku** » Thu May 20, 2010 7:06 pm

All those guys playing hockey are just not good enough to be ski jumpers, so the army forced em into hockey.

That's exactly how it goes. In Finland the army is responsible for training the ski jumpers as well as hockey players. You nailed it!

Joe: I'm rooting for Russia all the way, because they have three Caps players.

Post by **joehelmer** » Thu May 20, 2010 7:10 pm

Tasku wrote:
Joe: I'm rooting for Russia all the way, because they have three Caps players.

Yeah, I think they will win too, but I one those who loves underdogs so it would be cool if someone could beat them, why not Sweden in the final?

Wow, it feels weird to think that Canada is considered "underdogs" in this game.

Post by **batdad** » Thu May 20, 2010 7:14 pm

Tasku wrote:
All those guys playing hockey are just not good enough to be ski jumpers, so the army forced em into hockey.
That's exactly how it goes. In Finland the army is responsible for training the ski jumpers as well as hockey players. You nailed it!

Joe: I'm rooting for Russia all the way, because they have three Caps players.

I figured, you commie

Post by **Tasku** » Thu May 20, 2010 7:16 pm

I think it will be Sweden - Russia in the finals, for sure.

Post by **Tasku** » Thu May 20, 2010 7:17 pm

batdad wrote:
Tasku wrote:
All those guys playing hockey are just not good enough to be ski jumpers, so the army forced em into hockey.
That's exactly how it goes. In Finland the army is responsible for training the ski jumpers as well as hockey players. You nailed it!

Joe: I'm rooting for Russia all the way, because they have three Caps players.
I figured, you commie

No comment, comrade!

Post by **McQwak** » Thu May 20, 2010 9:15 pm

joehelmer wrote:And with that said I think Sweden will beat Czech in the semi final, the swedish team has improved the last games since they lost to Czech in the first stage, and to me the championship hasn't really started in stage 1.

Don't be surprised if we win

Our team improved, too. We won last 3 games (LAT, CAN, FIN) so it looks good.
At least, 4th overall will be Switzerland or Germany, so all three big hockey countries that win quaterfinals will have some medal (CZE, SWE and RUS).

djskek · Post by **djskek** » Fri May 21, 2010 10:37 am

McQwak wrote:so all three big hockey countries that win quaterfinals will have some medal (CZE, SWE and RUS).

Not so hasty! The jury is still out. We want to see the Russians cry. .....and the Swedes or Czechs, too.

We have nothing to lose.....

gambia_boy · Post by **gambia_boy** » Fri May 21, 2010 11:36 am

I really hope that Germany will win.But that will never happend

Post by **McQwak** » Fri May 21, 2010 1:25 pm

Germany can't win because the home team hadn't win some 20 years or so. That's the only reason

Sorry, djskek

Post by **joehelmer** » Fri May 21, 2010 3:49 pm

I hope that Germany will win over Russia, and then Sweden beats Germany in the final!

Post by **McQwak** » Sat May 22, 2010 3:51 pm

joehelmer wrote:I hope that Germany will win over Russia, and then Sweden beats Germany in the final!

I don't think this will happen, Joe.

At least, you will have the chance to beat Germany

Post by **Jypfan92** » Sat May 22, 2010 3:53 pm

Nice goal by Rachunek.

Go Czechs Go

djskek · Post by **djskek** » Sat May 22, 2010 7:42 pm

Too bad guys, unfortunately we have lost.

2:1

Tomorrow we will play against Sweden for the bronze medal. For Sweden, it is not an easy game! We will do everything, as all games.

Círyatan · Post by **Círyatan** » Sat May 22, 2010 7:55 pm

Germany managed to put up a good fight against Sborna, even though they eventually lost.

Russia vs Czech Republic in the final, it's gonna be an interesting game.