Tough task ahead of Russia in Switzerland
Published 23 April, 2009, 10:43
The ice hockey world champs Russia are gearing up to defend their crown at the 2009 World Championships in Switzerland.
Team Russia head into the 73rd installment of the World Championships as the squad to beat, having clinched both the global crown and Euro Hockey tour title in the past 12 months.
However, Vyachelsav Bykov's charges could be in for a tough road if they're to make the final on May 10, as they look to solidify themselves further as the superpower in the world game.
For the preliminary stage, six NHL players have joined the squad captained by Alexey Morozov – the skipper of the inaugural Kontinental Hockey League tournament winners, AK Bars.
One of North America's biggest Russian stars, Alexander Ovechkin, could be a potential late addition as well, with his Washington Capitals currently 3-1 down in their playoff series against the New York Rangers.
With a large portion of the star-studded line-up fresh off the KHL regular and post-season, Russia are expected to have few problems against Germany in their Group B opener on Friday.
Bykov should have plenty of time to find his optimal lineup during that round robin preliminary stage. Their other group opponents, France and hosts Switzerland, are unlikely to pose a serious threat.
The qualifying round could present a much tougher challenge for the Russians.
Last year's runners-up Canada will be out for revenge after suffering an upset on home soil.
The team would also need to be at its best at the latter stages with match-ups against bronze medalists Finland, along with Sweden and the Czech Republic on the horizon.
The Soviet Union had dominated the event for two decades, grabbing all but three gold medals from 1963 to 1983.
And while Team Russia still have a ways to go as far as titles are concerned, they have a chance to establish a legacy of their own, as they go into Berne ready for the big one.
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