“We have a hybrid defense that works in all zones”: what is being said before the Russia – Sweden ice hockey semi-final

“We are confident in ourselves, in our strengths, in each other”

The Russian youth hockey team is close to reaching the finals of the World Cup for the first time in four years. From the battle for the title of wards, Valery Bragin is separated by a semifinal match with the team of Sweden, demonstrating the most productive hockey in the tournament. The team of Thomas Monten won five of their meetings in the Czech Republic with a total score of 25: 8, while in the first round of the playoffs the Swedes defeated the hosts of the MFM (5: 0), to whom the Russians lost in the group.

In many ways, the Swedish youth looks like a real machine. For example, the Scandinavians suffered the last defeat in the group stage of the World Cup on December 31, 2006 from the United States. The win-win series, which then began, already has 48 meetings. However, this unique achievement means little from the point of view of medal prospects. In the playoffs, “tre krunur” has traditionally been less successful - over the past 35 years, they only once managed to win gold. A significant event occurred in 2012, when the Swedes in the decisive match defeated just the Russians (1: 0).

The outcomes of other tournaments made it clear that Sweden is not a cup fighter. Starting from the 2008 MFM, they made their way to the finals six times, but won only once. The performance at the previous five championships among the Swedes is almost depressing for one of the trendsetters in world hockey: with the exception of the 2018 final, these are three fourth places and one fifth (in 2019). In other words, “tre krunur” is consistently inferior to rivals in matches for bronze.

Before the upcoming semi-finals, two Swedes are in the top of the scoring race. The first place with ten points (5 goals + 5 assists) is held by Niels Höglander, and the company is made up of another extreme forward of the first link - Samuel Fagemo (6 + 3). He is the best sniper of the competition. The Russians five people scored six points, but such pronounced leaders are not visible.

However, according to striker Vasily Podkolzin, this in no way makes the Scandinavians stronger.

“We will deal with a good, fast, trained team, great acting in the majority. Sweden has strong enough players, but I'm not afraid of them. We are confident in ourselves, in our abilities, in each other. The match will be interesting, ”said the hockey player.

“Maybe the Swedes are lucky. And who should lose? Slovaks, Kazakhs? ”

It is worth noting that, unlike the Bragin squad, the Swedish team has so far held only one really difficult match in the Czech Republic. In the first round of the group stage, she only defeated Finland in overtime. In other meetings, the level of opponents allowed the Scandinavians to act in an economical mode. At the same time, Alexander Khovanov does not exclude that the opponent was lucky.

“They just play correctly, systemically. Maybe lucky them. And who should lose? Slovaks, Kazakhs? The Finns could beat them, but the goalkeeper acted poorly, ”the striker suggested.

In turn, the Swedish mentor Thomas Monten does not consider the lack of intense games a minus for his team.

“I don’t think it’s a problem that we had only one difficult match at this tournament. You have a match and move on. Ahead is a new game, let's see what it will bring to us, ”Montena quotes the“ Championship ”.

The specialist added that he considers the Russian national team a serious team, acting quite well on the defensive, which should not be allowed to dictate its conditions for a long time and provide too much space.

“I hope we grieve Askarov and beat him more”

Tournament routes of Russia and Sweden in recent years have not intersected so often. Advantages in face-to-face confrontation do not have any of the teams. In 2015, the Russians lost in the group, but took convincing revenge in the semifinals. In 2017, Russia celebrated success in the game for third place. Finally, in 2018, the “tre krunur” snatched out a shootout victory in the quintet leadership match.

Before the matches in which the fate of the medals is decided, any carelessly spoken word can further fuel interest in the game. This time, many were hooked on the statements of striker David Gustafsson, who said that the Russians should be afraid of the Swedes. And although the hockey player only answered the corresponding question of the journalists, many saw in his words excessive self-confidence.

“We have a very good team, we can win gold. We played a lot with Russia when we were younger, they always have a good team. In the Czech Republic, I didn’t especially follow the opponents, but I heard about the young and very good goalkeeper Askarov. I hope we upset him and score more, ”Gustafsson said.

The hockey player also warned his partners against repeating the situation in the match with the Czechs, when the Swedes relaxed and repeatedly allowed opponents to organize two-in-one counterattacks. Gustafsson is sure that the Russians will certainly be punished for such carelessness.

“They can be beaten with dagger attacks”

Famous hockey veterans rate the Russian team quite high. Two-time Olympic champion Igor Kravchuk considers the current team the best in the last five to seven years, even despite defeats in the group from the Czech Republic and the USA. In his opinion, the Bragin team favorably distinguishes the balance in the lines, as well as tactical and technical training.

“For many years in Russia we feared for the quality of our defenders, but in the Czech Republic we see a modern mobile, as it is fashionable to say, hybrid defense that works in all three zones,” Russia-Hockey quotes Kravchuk.

Another well-known specialist, Yuri Novikov, called the match between Russia and Sweden a “hidden ending." The deserved trainer of Russia has no doubt that this particular game will become the most exciting in the tournament.

“The Swedes have their own style, they clearly play on the defensive, competently implement the majority, they have no equal in the number of programs. They are good, but we are no worse. Due to dagger attacks, they can be beaten. We have a very good attack, a lot of sharp forwards. But the most important thing is discipline. Swedes always work well in the majority. I would advise our strikers to play sharper, climb the gates without sparing themselves, ”Novikov stated.

Hockey players themselves on the eve of the match did not seek lengthy conversations. Due to illness, striker Pavel Dorofeev missed training on Friday night. Instead, Maxim Groshev was involved in the third link. There are no other changes in the composition. A place in the gate with a high degree of probability will again take Yaroslav Askarov, who received positive reviews in the press for the quarterfinals.