SPORT1 broadcasts live on Free TV / return journey in two groups / Phase II starts on Tuesday
The 1-4 defeat against the Olympic champions in the first of two comparisons as part of the Euro Hockey Challenge on Friday was quickly over. A short stretch in the catacombs of the “Bolshoy Ice Arena”, a few tactical talks with the trainers – and then we went back to the team hotel. The motto was to eat, drink a lot and sleep quickly. Finally, the next comparison against Russia is on the program today (16 p.m., live on SPORT1).
For this reason, Marco Sturm also skipped the ice cream session that was originally scheduled for the morning. Instead, he asked his team to do video analysis after a morning walk together. On the one hand, the national coach showed good scenes and, on the other hand, also excerpts in which his players will have to do better in the afternoon. “We can build on the performance in the last section,” said the national coach.
It is clear that the “Sbornaja” should come out of the locker room strong again today. This time it will be Dustin Strahlmeier who, by arrangement, will celebrate his debut in the jersey of the German national team. Strahlmeier's goalkeeper colleague Mathias Niederberger was able to show what he can do yesterday. And he did. Niederberger's numerous Parathat kept the German selection in the game. Strahlmeier wants to achieve exactly the same thing.
Immediately after the match we go back to the hotel, where most of the players have to pack their things. As on the way to Russia, the return flight was split into two groups. The “Frankfurt travel group” starts at 4 a.m. from Sochi Airport, first towards Istanbul, then on to Germany. The players from the Munich area can at least sleep in, as they don't start until 9.40:XNUMX a.m. the next morning and land in the Bavarian capital via Moscow in the afternoon.
There's hardly any time to take a breather. The national team will meet on Tuesday evening for Phase II of the World Cup preparations. There are two comparisons with Slovakia on the agenda next weekend in Weißwasser and Dresden. The extent to which the face of the squad will change will be decided on Monday.