Ice hockey: Luxembourg’s national team descends

The descent is sealed. The national ice hockey team missed the relegation at the World Championships in the Turkish metropolis of Istanbul. The opponents, but also their own assets, posed problems with the team. The biggest challenges? « Winning, » jokes captain Colm Cannon at first, but then becomes serious: « We lacked the mental strength and also the pace to keep up with the competition. »

The team of coach Christers Eriksson from five games was only able to record one win. Three points and the clearly worst goal difference (10:29) refer to Luxembourg in the last place in the table of Division III A. « We have not achieved what we had hoped for, » the coach becomes clear, but points out that for the first time there were also many inexperienced players in the squad.

« It is a young team, » settles Cannon. « The experience and the rip -off that it would have needed were not there, » says the veteran. As a captain, he sees himself responsibility to work on it with his teammates. « I’m talking to you and trying to help you. » So you strive to continue building the young players in the next few years.

An ambition that has not always been present in the past. « There were several players who had been active in the national team for a long time. The door was closed for the young players, » says Eriksson. So an entire generation was never really integrated, which led to a gap in the team structure.

In addition to the ice cream, the sometimes large age difference can only be felt to a limited extent. « We have a good relationship within the team, » says Cannon, who is the oldest at the age of 38. « I feel old when I hear the boys talking, » the captain admits and says: « You are closer to my son’s age than on mine. » In some situations, he realizes how different the experiences are.

State of emergency

Cannon and Co. would like to do without a joint experience last Wednesday. At noon an earthquake shook the city. The team had no play and at that time was mostly in Istanbul. « A couple of us were near the Sultan-MaD mosque when we felt it, » reports Cannon and tries to describe the feeling. « It was as if a subway went directly under your feet. »

The earthquake had no consequences for the team or the tournament. « I don’t think it was even thinking about canceling the World Cup, » said the captain. However, the general mood in the area has changed after the quake. « Many people have put tents on the green areas in the city because they were afraid to sleep inside, » says Eriksson of his observations.

In contrast to the inhabitants, it seemed as if the team had digested the fright quickly. The following day, the Luxembourgers started the third game. They were just ahead against the opponent from Turkmenistan after the end of the second third, but could not confirm their performance in the last section of the game. « We collapsed completely for ten minutes and got one goal after the other, » recalls Cannon.

The team may have cost the remaining in Group A of Division III that she could not constantly call up her potential for over 60 minutes. « We played well for at least 40 minutes in every game. We have to try to do this over the entire game duration, » says the striker.

For the trainer, more things will have to change in the future. « We have to be better prepared. Both individually and physically and technically and tactically. » In contrast to other participants, the Grand Duchy has a very balanced team, but no difference.

The limited possibilities in relation to available ice halls, players and trainers are also a crucial factor in terms of competitiveness in Eriksson’s eyes. The 61-year-old does not want to search for excuses for relegation, but it is of the opinion that « many countries receive more financial support ».

This results in different requirements. Cannon still remains optimistic. « We slipped a class this year. Hopefully we can climb again next time. »