Already at the turn of April and May, we will see whether this spring the Polish national team will enter the most beautiful pages in the history of national hockey and after 22 years will return to the group of the best teams in the world. Ahead of the Division IA World Championships in Nottingham (April 29-May 5), the whites and reds will face a number of tests against strong rivals. The last will be the Hungarians, with whom the Poles will face off in Tychy and Bytom on April 20 and 21.
For whites and reds, the IA Division Ice Hockey World Championship is one of the most important tournaments of decades. The team led by Róbert Kaláber after 22 years has a chance to be promoted to the top flight. The odds are great, as all rivals are within range of the Whites and Reds, and not one, but two top teams will qualify.
Important tests in Tychy and Bytom
Before the World Cup, the team will play test matches in Riga with Latvia (April 6-7), in Maribor with Slovenia (April 13-14) and on April 20 and 21 in Poland with Hungary. On Thursday April 20 at 6:30 p.m. Biało-Czerwoni will face the Magyars at the winter stadium in Tychy, and on Friday April 21 at 8:15 p.m. at the Brothers Nikodemowicz ice rink in Bytom. Both matches, as well as the Polish fixtures in Nottingham, will be broadcast by TVP Sport, but the coach and players are appealing: – We are strong and motivated. It’s a great opportunity for our discipline, so let’s be together in Tychy, Bytom and Nottingham.
Powerful opponents
– We have contracted strong opponents ahead of the World Cup as the national team will face three Elite teams. In addition, the last two meetings will be held in the country. Our fans will have the opportunity to see a piece of great hockey live and say goodbye to the Whites and Reds before departing for England – He underlines Adam Frasvice-president of the Polish Ice Hockey Association.
Tickets for matches between Poland and Hungary are available for purchase on KupBilet.pl. A ticket for a match costs 25 PLN (normal) and 15 PLN (reduced).
A chance of success
In Nottingham, in the fight for the rise in Elite, the team will face Lithuania, Great Britain, Italy, South Korea and Romania.
– Last year we won the IB Division World Championships in Tychy and we are the newcomers behind the elite. Britain and Italy in May the previous year played with powers such as the Czech Republic and Canada, meaning they have the experience gained from clashes with superpowers. However, there is an opportunity in front of us, as two teams will advance. We will fight hard in every game the coach assures Robert Kalaber.
In the footsteps of a rival from the Isles
– We would like to follow Great Britain’s path, because five years ago they were first promoted to the back of the top flight, and the following season immediately into the group of the best hockey teams in the world. – said Paul Zygmuntnational team striker. – IN Nottingham, we expect a lot of support from the Polish fans. I heard a lot of fans going to games. Moreover, there are many of our compatriots who live in England – adds an eminent member of our team.
Over two decades of waiting
The last time Poles were promoted to the top flight was in 2001. An important player in this team was Leszek Laszkiewicz, the current team manager of the national team. Mariusz Czerkawski and Krzysztof Oliwa also played in the band.
– We obtained this promotion in Grenoble by overtaking, among others, French and Danish. Subsequent performances in Elita were a dream come true, as we had the opportunity to compete against outstanding hockey players, and the organization and atmosphere of the championship was impressive. I would like the new generation to experience it too – said Leszek Laszkiewicz.
Orlen is the main partner of the Polish national ice hockey team. The team partners are Petralana and Toyota Czajka. Cities – The host cities for the matches against Hungary are Tychy and Bytom.
