The authorities of the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) have approved the groups for next year’s elite world championships. The Polish national team will face a very difficult task in Ostrava.

After the end of the elite world championships, which took place in Riga and Tampere, the preliminary groups for next year’s championship have been established based on the latest IIHF rankings (more here). However, the Czechs, who will host the 2024 World Cup, have exercised their right to make changes.

Thus, the defending Canadian champion will not be a rival of the White and Red in the group stage. Instead of the Maple Leaf country team, the USA team was assigned to Group A.

Thus, in Prague, where the Czech Republic will compete, Canada, Finland, Switzerland, Denmark, Norway, Austria and Great Britain will also play. The organizers are happy because the Canadians have promised to fly to the capital on the Vltava in the strongest combination possible, which guarantees a greater number of spectators in the stands.

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Poland moved into Group A, which will play its matches in Ostrava. It won’t be easier to get points here, because the opponents of the Whites and Reds will be USA, Germany, Sweden, Slovakia, Latvia, France and Kazakhstan.

The composition of the group in Ostrava also pleases the organizers. What they wanted has come true, which is for the national teams of Poland and Slovakia to play closer to their countries. This is a treat for Biało-Czerwony fans, as Ostrava is located right next to the state border. The capital of the Moravian-Silesian region is easily accessible from Poland by car or train.

– Poles are big fans of sports, so we are confident that they will not miss the historic performance of the Polish national team – said Jan Cerny, secretary of the Czech Ice Hockey Association (quoted from the IIHF). Remember that Poland will play the World Cup for the first time in 22 years.

The Elite World Championship will be played from May 10-26, 2024. Fans interested in purchasing tickets can register from July 20, 2023 via 2024.iihfworlds.com. Those selected will be able to purchase tickets for individual matches in October.

2024 World Championship Elite Hockey Groups:
Group A (Ostrava): USA, Germany, Sweden, Slovakia, Latvia, France, Kazakhstan, Poland.
Group B (Prague): Canada, Finland, Switzerland, Czech Republic, Denmark, Norway, Austria, United Kingdom.

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