ICE HOCKEY fans are in for a treat — the Pool C World=20 Championships, featuring top new teams such as Lithuania=20 and Croatia.
Between this week and the end of the month, 10 teams will=20 fight for places in the semi-finals and finals at the=20 Carlton and Krugersdorp rinks.
“From a purely competitive point of view, we’ve never=20 seen anything like this before. The depth and talent in=20 every team is incredible. There will be no easy pickings=20 for this year’s coveted title,” said Dave May, executive=20 chairman of the Ice Hockey Association of South Africa.
None of the teams in this pool can be written off –=20 including the younger and newer nations in the=20 competition, such as Israel, New Zealand and the South=20 African team. In spite of two rather disappointing=20 performances in Europe recently, the local team are=20 expected to show their mettle in front of a home crowd.=20
1992’s eventual finalists, Spain, are once again expected=20 to set the pace in this fast and bruising game, which is=20 one of the world’s most exciting sports.