Thursday April 22, 2021
Ice hockey women caught cold
“Brutal” cancellation of the World Cup causes trouble
The women’s ice hockey world championship, which was canceled immediately before it began, is causing a lot of frustration in the German team. Almost with their bags packed, the team is ready for the trip to Canada. It remains to be seen whether the association will keep paying the costs.
The cancellation of the World Cup one day before the flight to Canada caught the German national ice hockey players off guard. “We were all in the ice rink and packed our bags very excitedly. It was total chaos, but also great anticipation,” reported striker Julia Zorn: “And then it was a meeting in ten minutes.” There the coaches announced the “catastrophe”, as DEB President Franz Reindl called the short-term failure of the World Cup in Halifax and Truro.
“At first there was dead silence in the room,” said Zorn, “until somebody asked at some point whether the whole thing was a joke.” Unfortunately it wasn’t. On Wednesday, the province of Nova Scotia canceled the Canadian Ice Hockey Association’s planned World Cup from 6 to 16 May. Last weekend, the corona measures were tightened in the province, which ultimately led to the cancellation.
“We’re the last ones who want to endanger anyone,” said Zorn, “but I wonder why this construct of the bubble was designed in the first place. The rejection hits me brutally.” In addition, it is “a shame that there is no plan B”. At least not ad hoc. The world association is looking for an alternative date in the summer with host Canada.
Who pays now
“The mood in the team is currently so that that is no consolation,” admitted Zorn: “We would have been ready now. We have invested so much time and effort.” A summer World Cup would also break the usual annual cycle, which could be problematic in view of the enormously important Olympic qualification in the 2021/22 season.
The question of costs is also difficult to answer. The German Ice Hockey Federation (DEB) had booked a charter plane with three other World Cup teams, plus there are costs for the hotel and the several weeks of preparation in Füssen. “We have to hold talks with the world association and the organizers,” said DEB sports director Christian Künast.
Regardless of the financial aspect, the World Cup cancellation was “a slap in the face of the players”, said Künast. Young national coach Franziska Busch, who looks after the team, said: “We were full of anticipation and energy and highly motivated, that hits us hard.” A year ago, the World Cup was canceled in the same place due to Corona.
In Canada, the incidence is roughly the same as in Germany, and the vaccination rate is similar. Unlike in the USA, spectators are not yet allowed to attend sporting events.
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