It wasn't too long ago that the German Ice Hockey Federation (DEB) caused a sensation and some laughter with an announcement. As soon as Uwe Harnos, who had led the association into serious financial difficulties as president, had been voted out of office, an agenda was proclaimed that took on a completely new tone: “Powerplay 2026” was the name of the concept that all members from the grassroots to the top encouraged to think in bigger dimensions from now on and to say goodbye to the opinion, which has grown over decades, that German national teams are one thing above all else: a plaything of the big names in the scene.
The thesis paper culminated in the forecast, which took some getting used to, that players with the eagle on their jerseys should always compete for medals from now on.
Meanwhile, the ridicule that initially existed for the bold claims has long since turned into industry-wide recognition.
Rightly.
The men in black, red and gold were also one of the attractions of the tournament at the World Cup in Latvia, which ended at the weekend.
At the latest with the crime thriller victory over Switzerland in the quarter-finals, the team won over an audience of millions in front of the television screens at home, who rubbed their eyes in amazement at how intrepid, determined and attractive it looked when the Toni Söderholm players saw their chance - and then used them with heart and mind.
A golden generation
Success is not a product of chance. Thanks to the nationwide promotion of young talent, which was modeled on the German Football Association and its performance centers, a new line of highly talented youngsters outgrows the junior division every year: Moritz Seider, Lukas Reichel, John-Jason Peterka, who are at the forefront in Riga are the best examples of how it pays to trust local kids and offer targeted training early on with the help of first-class instructors. Tim Wohlgemuth is the next one who is ready to take the big stage, maybe in a good six months at the Olympics in Beijing.
In Söderholm, the golden generation has a pioneer by their side who challenges and encourages them. After Marco Sturm and Uwe Krupp, the Finn is another national coach who sets standards. Thanks to his specialist knowledge and his social skills, he proves to be the ideal choice for the young guard, whose language he speaks and for whom he is also a reliable advisor outside of the arenas. For Krupp, but even more so for Sturm, who led the DEB elite to silver at the 2018 Olympics, the commitment turned out to be a career accelerator on the post behind the gang.
It won't be any different with Söderholm.
With a lavishly endowed contract with the Los Angeles Kings, Sturm was able to look on with appreciation from the land of unlimited ice hockey opportunities, which his successor and his family achieved with fourth place at the World Cup as a respectable result.
The fact that there was more in it diminishes the joy.
And that's a good thing, because every athlete grows with their demands.
Before saying goodbye to the Baltic States, the first players spoke more or less clearly of wanting to win the final (and thus the hoped-for title), which they just missed this time, at the next available opportunity.
Nobody has to fear being ridiculed for this statement.