- At the youth world championship, the Russian team started with two victories in a row. What impression did the performance of the team of Valery Bragin make on you?
- At the moment it is too early to talk about it. The tournament has just begun, only two meetings were played, in which we didn’t have a really strong opponent. While hockey players are just entering a competitive rhythm, everything is still ahead.
- Is it already possible to select someone from the hockey players?
- The team scored six goals in two games with opponents who failed to make a worthy competition. The athletes did not have the opportunity to express themselves fully.
- In the first two meetings, the Russians missed only one puck. Does this mean not the highest level of the opponent or a confident game in defense?
- Danes showed weak hockey. In principle, the confrontation with the Czech Republic pledge of success was a strict game in defense. That is why the number of goals conceded is minimal.
- Considering what you said, wins with a score of 4: 0 and 2: 1 are a satisfactory result or should Bragin's players have to win more confidently?
- We have two wins in two games, this is more than enough. Judging by the fact that the Canadians struck the gates of the Danes 14 times, at the moment Olaf Eller's wards are not capable of much. By and large, they still cannot have a strong team. As for the meeting with the Czech Republic, here it is more likely to talk about chance than about regularity.
- Russia is the most ineffective team among the representatives of the big six of the world hockey. Does this mean attack problems?
- Yes, we were weaker in those components that are necessary to win the championship. We implemented our moments in the minority, fleeing into counterattacks. Especially alarming is the fact that in equal compositions, and especially in the majority, we almost did not succeed. But this is only the beginning of the tournament, so anything can happen.
- Is it possible to say that Russian hockey players do not deliberately perform at maximum speed, saving up their strength in the playoffs?
- No, this just does not happen, it is clear to every athlete. In none of the meetings of the World Championships is it possible to play half the battle.
- Canada defeated Denmark with a score of 14: 0, and the Czech Republic - 5: 1. Does such a difference in the number of heads that North Americans are superior in the class of Russians?
- Here you should not pay attention to the bill. In the group stage, he does not reflect the real state of affairs. All representatives of the big six secured access to the playoffs even before the tournament. Today, teams such as Kazakhstan and Denmark are rather weak opponents who are not able to compete with the leaders. Therefore, now everyone is running around the trains, the bundles, gaining interactions, practical jokes. All the main things will begin after the New Year, when the time for the quarter finals comes.
- What is the reason for the large number of deletions from Bragin's charges in the first two meetings?
- Each violation of the rules should be considered separately. If this is a blow to the arm, then we are talking about indiscipline, if the delay is a means of positional inaccuracy. Ejection of the puck indicates negligence. When there is a principle game, deletions are inevitable. But in this case, this was not, therefore, there was a psychological factor associated with the start of the championship. After all, many guys for the first time act on a similar level. Having some excitement is inevitable.
- In the game with the Czechs, it already cost the Russians a missed puck, but in the future they will have to meet with strong Switzerland and Canada. Can such incontinence become a key factor in these matches?
- Perhaps, but this is the work of the coaching staff. In fact, the group stage exists to solve such questions. In the playoffs any violations will be punished more severely.
- Was it worth it to hockey players to specially prepare for the tournament taking into account the changed criteria of refereeing?
- The rules are the same for everyone. Hockey has been around for over 100 years. Nothing fundamentally new was introduced.
- The next opponent of the Russian team will be Switzerland. Can we call this meeting the most serious test at the group stage, not counting the game with Canada?
- No, I would not say that. This is a regular team. Yes, there are several leaders there, such as Philip Kurashev and a couple of other guys. And the rest are not special.
“At the same time, it is hardly possible to deny that in recent years the Swiss have noticeably progressed in hockey. Unlike the Czechs, the Swiss lost to the Canadians with a difference of one goal ...
- Yes. See how Switzerland has been performing internationally for the past 10 years. Hockey in the country is experiencing a boom, and it was not for nothing that last year the first number of the draft was its representative Niko Hishir. Now she is on a par with Canada, Russia, the Czech Republic, Sweden and Finland giving out world-class players. Of course, it can not be ignored.
- What are the strengths can be identified in the wards of Christian Wolwend?
- They have always been distinguished by an organized game with mobile skating. Just not with them anyway.
- If the Russian team defeats Switzerland, it will secure a second place in the group. How important is the meeting with Canada in this case?
- We do not pick up our rivals and never did. Each time, players go out exclusively to win. And the Swedes, and the Finns, and the Americans are very strong. Any of these teams can give a fitting rebuff. But so interesting and hockey.
- At the moment, the Russians go to Finland. Is this rival capable of the Bragin team?
- For me, the Finns are favorites of this championship. Therefore, I would not like to get to them in the quarter-finals.
- In that case, who could be the most suitable opponent?
- The one we pass.