IIHF World Championships 2007

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Jim 'Tambo' Piper gives us his views on the teams taking part in the upcoming International Ice Hockey Federation World Championships.

This years Championships take place between 27th April and 13th May in Russia.

As per last year the top sixteen teams in the World are split into 4 groups for the Preliminary round robin. The top 3 teams in each group progress to the Qualifying round of 2 groups of 6 teams with each team playing a further round robin against those teams they have not already played. The bottom team in the four preliminary round groups play in a round robin relegation group with the bottom two teams relegated to Division 1 for next season. The top 4 teams in the Qualifying round progress to a knockout quarter, semi and final round stage.

Here are the Preliminary round groups, a quick profile and my predictions for the first round.

Group A

Sweden World Ranking 1

Sweden are current world and Olympic champions and many peoples bet to retain their title. They will have to play without their great captain Mats Sundin and Peter Forsberg, it remains to be seen if they can overcome this.

Switzerland World Ranking 8

Switzerland are a tough, physical side who are capable of shocking any team on their day. Last time out they were outthought by Belarus who beat them in the quarterfinals. Dave Aebischer, netminder with the Canadiens should again prove strong for them in the competition.

Latvia World Ranking 9

The hosts from last years competition will do well to make it through the first round this time and the key game must be against Italy. Without their crazy fans, they will struggle against the top two teams. One figure missing from the lineup for the first time in many years will be the great Artus Irbe.

Italy World Ranking 15

Italy just saved their Elite status last year with a goal on 58:21 against relegated Slovenia. It will be just as tough again this year and they will also be looking for a result against Latvia. Realistically it will be survival in the relegation round for them.

Sweden should top the group with ease and Switzerland should finish second. Latvia may prove too strong for Italy and be the third qualifier out of this group. Italy look to be the group underdogs and will likely finish without a win

Group B

Czech Republic World Ranking 2

The Czechs will be all out for revenge after losing to Sweden last time out. They will again be strong and their mix of European and North American style should see them through the first round comfortably.

USA World Ranking 7

This will be a tough competition for the young USA side who will be without many of their NHL stars. They will be hoping that some of those eliminated in the early rounds of the Stanley Cup will change their minds and attend the tournament.

Belarus World Ranking 10

Belarus massively over achieved last year and were eventually beaten in the quarter finals by Finland. Will a change of coach make a difference this year. If they show the endeavour seen last season they may provide a shock against USA.

Austria World Ranking 16

The underdogs in the competition and freshly promoted from Division 1 last season. No big stars in the team but they are renouned for their physical outlook to hockey and may try to impose this in the games agains USA and Belarus. Personally cannot see them winning a game in the first round.

The Czech Republic should breeze through this round in what is probably the weakest group in the competition. Second place should go to USA but they will have to be wary of Belarus, who themselves are gritty enough to edge the North Americans. Austria will need a huge stroke of luck to finish higher than 4th in this group.

Group C

Canada World Ranking 4

Canada will be out to prove their ranking of 4 should be higher, however they too will be missing a few of the big names, still participating in the Stanley Cup. Last season Canada were bitterly disappointed to finish 4th behind 3 European teams and will be out to do better this season. Their roster has not been published yet but it will include a fairly young mixture of players this time out

Slovakia World Ranking 6

Slovakia will be out for revenge after their 4-1 mauling by Canada in the quarter finals last year. They are a strong, skilful team who could do some damage in the competition. Unlike their North American counterparts, the Slovaks can count on their big name NHLers such as Chara , Gaborik and Hossa. These guys might just be the catalyst for a shock in this group.

Germany World Ranking 11

Germany’s present for making back into the world elite was a place in the toughest group of all 4. They will have to overcome the loss of big NHL players Seidenberg, Hecht and Sturm and are going with a youthful approach. One to watch will be be Christoph Ullman, fresh from his double winning season with Adler Mannheim. Germany will be targeting their game against Norway to avoid the relegation group, however a good match against the traditionally slow starting Canadians may provide a shock.

Norway World Ranking 12

Norway did well to retain their place in the Elite group last year, however their participation in the "group of death" will really test their ability. Key game for them will be against Germany with the loser likely to play in the relegation round.

Toughest group of all 4 in this years tournament and the most difficult to predict. Canada should prevail but if they get off to a slow start against Germany, anything can happen. Jumping off the fence for a minute I predict Canada, Slovakia and Germany to go through with Norway into the relegation round, but then again……

Group D

Finland World Ranking 3

Once again the Finns should be the most entertaining team in the competition. If the evergreen Petteri Nummelin plays in his 13th consecutive championships he will be trying to add to his gold (1995) and 3 silvers. Finnland will be strong again this year with no fewer than 10 NHLers in the squad. They should win their games against Ukraine and Denmark and the top game of the group will be against Russia.

Russia World Ranking 5

The red machine will be steamrolling their way again in the championship. On their day they are capable of beating anybody but defensive lapses will be punished by the Finns. A comfortable first round for the East European Juggernauts. Rising star Mikhnov, who is likely to go to the NHL next season, will again turn heads just as he did in Riga last year.

Ukraine World Ranking 13

Don’t expect too much from Ukraine in this group. They are deservedly ranked 13 and cannot expect much of a performance above that level. They will be hoping to keep the score down against Russia and Finland and compete with Denmark for the final qualification spot.

Denmark World Ranking 14.

Denmark only just held on to their Elite place last year with a dramatic 3-2 win over Kazakhstan. It will be just as tough this year, although they will feel they have a chance against Ukraine and fight the third week in the top group.

Finland to walk the group with Russia easily finishing 2nd. Bunfight between Ukraine and Denmark for the third spot.

Ok that’s it……….. 3 weeks of scintillating hockey ahead. My predictions are based on current form and instinct as most teams have not finalised their rosters yet. My prediction for the whole competition……………. Finland to win their first gold for 12 years overcoming Czech Republic in the final………….. but I said the same thing 12 months ago

Tambo

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