Why the ice hockey team hopes for Turkish Airlines tolerance
On Sunday, the men of the ice hockey national team climb on the plane to Istanbul. Unlike most scheduled passengers, it is not a vacation trip for them. Because from Monday the team will be challenged in a total of five World Cup games. The goal? « Of course we always want to be on one of the medal ranks, » says Alain Schneider, President of the National Ice Hockey Association (FLHG).
However, the project is particularly difficult this year. The tournament primarily is about defending the place in the third division. « The team is in transition. The main goal is actually not to be deployed, » Schneider admits. A descent would be fatal, not only sporty, but above all financially.
This time we will make it that nobody has to pay anything out of their own pocket.
Alain Schneider
President of the FLHG
The money that is made available by the International Ice Hockey Association per tournament is briefly measured anyway. Losing a division would further deteriorate the situation due to the staggering of the budget. « This time we will make it that nobody has to pay anything out of their own pocket, » the 63-year-old initially reassures, but also warns: « It may be that this is no longer the case in the future ».
Alain Schneider sees a financial bottleneck for the small associations. Photo: Alexander Daleiden
In particular, the increased flight prices and the enormous additional costs for the transport of heavy equipment always cause problems. « This is a fight every time. It becomes very expensive when you have over luggage, » explains Schneider, but is careful. « Turkish Airlines sponsors the Turkish association. They are a bit more tolerant when we fly with them. »
When the shoe presses
It is not a matter of course that the 20-member team mostly flies directly from Luxembourg into the metropolis, almost 2,500 kilometers away. For example, on long -haul flights such as the 2023 World Cup in South Africa, they had often been forced to avoid to Frankfurt to avoid an exhausting stopover.
Because this must be avoided under all circumstances. « Luggage is very often lost at Zwischenstopps, » complains the association president. So it has already happened that several players could not be used at least initially due to lack of equipment.
Nobody likes to play with strange ice skates. It is like a footballer had to put on his shoes upside down.
Alain Schneider
Simply swapping this with each other is problematic. In particular, your own footwear cannot be easily replaced. « Nobody likes to play with strange ice skates. It is as if a footballer had to put on his shoes upside down, » Schneider tries to compare himself.
The loss of luggage would be anything but optimal. Especially since the team has to become one unit again on the ice. « Nine of the 20 players are active abroad. We have never had that. I am excited to see how they get together, » says Schneider, who used to act in the attack.
Despite the uncertain performance of the team, the anticipation for the World Cup is large. It is a rare opportunity for the players to spend time with old friends. « They are scattered all over the world, » says Schneider. « If you see yourself again for a week, that’s something very special. »
Four stars, but no bling bling
The meeting with the teams of the other countries is also positive for the 63-year-old. « It’s like a big family, » enthuses Schneider about the relationships within the World Association. No wonder that the « family » even shares the quite luxurious accommodation. « It is always at least one four-star hotel, » emphasizes the president, the high standards of international ice hockey federation.
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Schneider also finds praise for the host. « We have been here several times and the organization in Turkey was always perfect. » For example, there is its own bus for each nation, which takes you to the nearby ice rink, the Zeytinburnu Ice Rink.
National coach Christer Eriksson has prepared the team for the tournament in the best possible way in the past few days. Photo: Alexander Daleiden
The tournament begins there on Monday evening (7 p.m.) for the Luxembourg selection. With the home side, a tricky task is waiting right at the beginning, which at the same time brings a decisive advantage. « On the first day, the host is under pressure. If he gets nervous and makes mistakes, you always get your chance, » Schneider tacts. It remains to be seen whether the protégés of coach Christer Eriksson can use them.
However, the president does not want to miss the chance to draw attention to the small associations and finds: « We have to show that we are important for the international association. »
