Ice-hockey: A Swede test for GB
Saturday, February 23, 2008
By Stuart McKinley
Ice Hockey UK - the game's governing body in Great Britain - have given the
biggest indication yet of how much emphasis is now being put on the national
team programme.
As the World Championship series in Innsbruck, Austria looms in early April,
Paul Thompson's GB team will go into the tournament better prepared than at
anytime in recent history
Last year the team finished in fourth
place, but this time a medal and possibly a silver one which would ensure
promotion to the top level of the world game and the 2009 World Championship
in Switzerland.
Earlier this month Paul Thompson's GB squad
travelled to France for four-team tournament and they will be in action
again before heading to Austria with a friendly fixture being organised
against Sweden's under-21 on Thursday April 10 in Coventry.
"
This game is going to really test us and is going to be great preparation
for the World Championships in Austria the following week," said
Thompson.
"It's taken the best part of a year to make it
happen and I'm really pleased we will be hosting them.
"They
may be an under 20 team, but they are right up there as one of the world's
best."
