Features

"Professional job well done" says Thompson

Friday, 18th April 2008

Team GB wait to see the outcome of the remaining games today in Innsbruck between Poland and Korea and this evening between hosts and favourites Austria and Kazakhstan. If expected Poland and Austria are victors then we have the most amazing round robin games on Saturday to determine the medals. A win for GB could secure them second place and a silver medal.

"This is what we are in this sport for," said Coach Paul Thompson after GB's 8-1 demolition of Holland on Friday afternoon. "The game today has set up an exciting conclusion to the tournament, we will see what the scores of the remaining games today are, but all things being equal we have a game to play against Kazakhstan for a silver medal, what an achievement that would be after all the hard work everyone has put in.

"Holland have skilled players who can pounce on a chance, a turn over, a broken down play and hurt you so we had to be careful today that we were diligent and professional for sixty minutes. We watched lots of video and broke Holland down, what they did well and where we thought we could take advantage of them. In all our team meetings we reiterated all of this time after time and the message obviously got through because the players executed their jobs very well this afternoon.

"Goaltending was strong, Stephen Murphy once again played a solid game and made saves when he had to. The defence played much better in front of him and looked strong and in control of the game. I said all day that it would be our forwards though that were most important. I expected us to control the puck for the majority of the game, so it was key for us that we found our scoring touch around the net, especially as the Dutch probably have the best goalie here.

"The Owen Chambers combination has worked well all week and I think with Jonathan Phillips with them today they got even better. Chambers has certainly made a difference out here, he is so creative. For Owen to score a hat trick in such an important game is great for the lad, he has been great for us all week and this will give him a confidence boost ahead of the Kazakhstan game.

"So overall I am delighted, we are not getting ahead of ourselves and must now prepare for the Kazakhstan game with the same level of detail as we did this one. We will watch them play Austria tonight and give the mother of efforts tomorrow rest assured."

Related read

Outstanding GB Goalie leaves the ice after the 8-1 victory over Holland

Outstanding GB Goalie leaves the ice after the 8-1 victory over Holland


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