Opinions & Interviews

MINSK, 23 May (BelTA) – The success of the Belarusian hockey depends on the professional growth of young players, Tatarstan TV commentator Alexander Norden told BelTA as he commented on the results of the 2014 IIHF WM quarterfinal in Minsk.

“There is progress. Today everything depends on how young players will show themselves in the future because veterans – Grabovksi, Kostitsyn (Andrei – BelTA’s note), Mezin can call it a career any day now. We can see a good level of Platt and Lalande. Everything depends on how they progress and grow professionally. Gotovets and Yefimenko still have a lot to do,” Alexander Norden noted.

The expert stressed that the Belarusians had good chances to stay in the 2014 IIHF WM playoff. “You had one step in the semifinal,” Alexander Norden noted. In his words, the most disappointing moment in the Thursday game between Belarus and Sweden was the penalty shot Belarus failed to score. “But in general you were great. I think the Belarusian fans were happy,” he said.

Speaking in general about the results of the quarterfinals, Alexander Norden noted that they were predictable. "Canada and the United States were expected to be out, because they do not take the world championships seriously, especially in an Olympic year,” he said.

When asked which team he believes will make it to the final, Alexander Norden replied: "I think that Russia and Finland though I will be rooting for Czechs in their encounter against Finland." He said that he does not doubt that Russia will prevail in the face-off with Sweden. "I think Russians have been in an energy saving mode in recent days. We have two good attacking lines, but defense can mess everything up. The match against Sweden will be difficult but I think Russia will score one or two goals more than Sweden,” he said.

The match Czechia vs Finland, in his view, is also going to be tough, and maybe the teams will need OT to settle the score. But he thinks the victory will be for the Finns.