Slovakia had a heyday around the turn of the millennium.

Among other things, they took gold at the senior WC in 2002 and were frequent and won medals.

For a long period, however, there has been sluggish growth on the junior side.

Apart from a peeling JVM bronze in 2015, they have not been very close to any medals.

But maybe that's about to change.

In the Slovak team that takes on Sweden tonight, there are several players to be regarded as super talents and in the group game premiere against the reigning champion USA, they kept a steady pace and lost by 2-3.

-They may have their best vintage in 20 years, then (Marian) Hossa, (Zigmund) Palffy and (Peter) Bondra.

It is a very, very good team and they had a 3-3 puck in goal that was ruled out for a high club in the end against the USA.

The same work effort will be required today as we had against Russia, says Tomas Montén.

Lifts the defensive game

Sweden comes to the match with a 6-3 victory against Russia in the back.

Just like in the premiere, the defensive game will be important, according to Montén.

-It is important for us that we keep our defensive game all over the course.

We need to play with five players on the right side of the puck and make sure that everyone goes fully on the defensive all the way to the full.

We did it many times yesterday but we need to do it match after match and change after change, he says.

Eklund has respect

William Eklund, one of the Juniorkronorna's big stars, was successful against Russia with, among other things, two assists.

He says that he and the team go in with a good feeling - but that you have to watch out.

- I think the whole team made a good match yesterday, a real team effort right through.

We must enter with great respect for the Slovak team we face today, he says.

The match against Slovakia starts at 03.30 tonight, Swedish time.

All players are available tonight except Fabian Lysell who also missed the match against Russia.

Tomas Montén said after the Russia match that Lysell feels hung over but that he is tested negative for covid-19.

CLIP: So was the first day of JVM (December 27, 2021)

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JVM Day 1