Video: Thompson confident of GB success

HEAD COACH Paul Thompson is hoping strength in adversity will work in Great Britain's favour when they eventually get their World Championship campaign underway in Slovenia later today.
By The Newsroom
Published 16th Apr 2010, 19:41 BST
Updated 23rd Apr 2010, 13:58 BST

After the volcanic eruption in Iceland caused their Friday morning flight from Gatwick to be cancelled, Team GB were left with no choice but to board a coach and, via the Eurotunnel crossing, make their way to the Slovenian capital of Llubljana via road, a journey which was expected to take some 26 hours.

Given the extreme circumstances, the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) agreed to Britain's request to put back their opening fixture against Croatia.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

To see GB's players in action ahead of the World Championships and to see an interview with coach Paul Thompson click PLAY at the top of the page.

That match will now be second on today's opening schedule at 4.30pm, with Korea's clash against Hungary opening the event at 1pm.

"It is far from perfect preparation but sometimes adversity works in wonderful ways," said Thompson.

"Spirits in the camp are good, in fact in a funny way this whole last day or so has made us laugh and brought the whole group closer together.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

"You never know, if we win this tournament it might become standard practice."

Seeded 24th in the IIHF world rankings, Britain will follow-up Saturday's opening Division One, Group B match by taking on Korea on Sunday (1pm).

There will then be a day's rest before they face world No 18 seeds and pre-tournament favourites Slovenia on Tuesday.

Hungary follow on Wednesday before Thompson's players face a rematch against Poland, the side they defeated in overtime on their home ice last year to clinch an unexpected bronze medal.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

To see GB's players in action ahead of the World Championships and to see an interview with coach Paul Thompson click PLAY at the top of the page.

Despite missing several key players through injury or club commitments, Thompson remains confident of success in the former Yugoslav republic.

"We are always confident, you have to be," he added. "We know we are in a tough group but we are an emerging nation who are getting year after year.

"Every year we look to get better – not just on the ice but off-ice as well in terms of our preparations.

"It's going to take time to get where we want to, but we are in a far better situation than we were a few years ago."

Related topics:Great BritainIceland