It starts at 12.15 p.m. / Classic Russia – USA at 16.15 p.m. / Patrick Reimer praises them Fans: “We can be proud”
What an ice hockey festival this Tuesday in Cologne! For the Fans it's a day to cluck your tongue. Good news for those who have a day ticket: At 12.15:16.15 p.m. the NHL-strengthened team from Sweden will face Slovakia, followed by the eternal classic between Russia and Team USA (20.15:XNUMX p.m.). At XNUMX:XNUMX p.m. things get serious for the national team. The game against Latvia is about nothing less than a place in the quarter-finals.
“These are the kinds of moments that make you play ice hockey,” said national coach Marco Sturm after yesterday’s final training session. It's clear, on the Fans A true spectacle awaits on the ice and in the stands. “Latvia is extremely dangerous, they take advantage of their opponents' mistakes and strike mercilessly. “You’ve played a great tournament so far,” praised Sturm, who will be starting with goalkeeper Philipp Grubauer for the first time.
The NHL goalie from Washington was already in the squad for the 4-1 win against Italy, but only sat on the bench at the time. On the day off, he was on the ice with the coaching team to get back into the rhythm. “I feel good,” said the keeper, on whom hopes rest along with star striker Leon Draisaitl. Thoughts about the 3-2 win against the Latvians at the Olympic qualifiers in Riga are permissible, said Grubauer, but the success back then is no longer an issue for today. “It will be a completely different game,” said “Grubi”.
Both the Latvians and the German selection are expecting a close game this evening. And a fantastic atmosphere. Also because the Baltics have atmospheric Fans have in the back. “The Latvian supporters are well known and create a great atmosphere at every World Cup. If we then from ours Fans “The support we’ve received so far means it’s likely to get even louder in the arena,” said Patrick Reimer.
The man from Nuremberg basically came out as a big one Fan the whole “World Cup” trappings. Yesterday, Reimer emphasized the positive solidarity via Facebook Live. “We spoke to some teammates about this topic today. You only see happy and smiling faces in the arena or in the city. The Fans, no matter what nationality, celebrate together and have fun. There is zero potential for aggression, everything is exclusively positive. That's the way it has to be. We can be proud of that.”