News of the IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship in Minsk and Riga

MINSK, 26 May (BelTA) – The 2014 IIHF World Championship in Minsk showed a top-class hockey, Chairman of Belarus’ House of Representatives’ permanent commission on healthcare, physical education, family and youth policy Alexander Tsetsokho told BelTA.

“The championship was held at a very good level which has been noted by both the hosting nation and our guests. We saw a top-class hockey. Players, coaches, fans confessed they enjoyed the event greatly,” the MP said.

“We proved we can organize sporting forums of any level. It will be great if this fact will be acknowledged by the international community. I think the critics of the world championship who did not want it in Belarus have already understood they were wrong,” the official said.

According to the MP, Team Belarus did well at the championship. “We could have advanced into the semifinal. We had every chance for it. Nevertheless, the Belarusian team did great. We are very happy for our Russian brothers who bagged the tournament trophy. The Russian team demonstrated an unbelievable hockey. The Finns stood strong as well. Both the finalists should be praised for the wonderful final game,” Alexander Tsetsokho said.