PowerPlay περιοδικό

The U18-WC takes place in Germany.Therefore, there are interviews with the coaches of the participating teams. Today we end with group D. (here the article in the German magazine) Thanks to menoa for the graphic.

All articles:

- article to group A

- article to group B

- article to group C

- article to group D

Before we come to the interviews, only something else. We asked all national coaches  the same questions. Including the question to the title favorites and the associations with Germany. This I have evaluated, to determine the general opinion of all coaches. Title favorites are the Czech Republic and Slovakia.Asked to theAssoziatioen they named more than one time beer, "Otktoberfest", cars, what was for the German community very interesting.

Title favorites:

Slovakia 11, Czech Republic 11, Latvia 7, Hungary 6, Serbia 3, Germany 2, Finland 2, Lithuania 1, Denmark 1, Poland 1

Assoziatioen:

Beer (good beer) 6, Oktoberfest 5, pleasant people (friends/polite people) 3, cars 3, Hockey (Eisbären Berlin Frankfurt Lions) 2, football/Bayern Munich 2 (3-3 in Finland:Germany in Football), "Schlager" 1, sense of home 1, beautiful country 1, blond women 1, unfortunately, the second world war 1

Now we know what the coach think so. Now we also want to know what the German and what the international community thinks so. Therefore there are two surveys. Please vote!

	Which team will win the title (U18-WC - top)?
Slovakia Czech Republic Latvia Hungary Serbia Germany Finland Lithuania Poland Denmark Russia some other country
	Ergebnisse
	toolia.de - Umfrageservice

**********************************

	What do you associate with Germany?
beer "Oktoberfest" cars pleasant people/ friends sense of home nice country "Bayern München"/Fußball "Schlager" blonde women ice hockey something different
	Ergebnisse
	toolia.de - Umfrageservice

Finland:

1.)    1) What is the goal you want to achieve with the team at the upcoming U18 World-Cup?

Gold medal is our goal. But we won't be disappointed if we survive to Top-4. We must remember that everything can happen when almost every game is very important.

2.) Which teams are the main competitors in order to achieve your goals?

Slovakia, Czech Republic, Latvia and Serbia are Finland's main competitors.

3.) Which players are the best (the greatest) and the best talents in your teams?

Kari "Punisher" Pihlström is absolutely fantastic center. He is the best at this moment and also got the best qualities. Best defender is maybe Joonas Väyrynen. He's our captain with high exp, excellent skills and qualities. Team Finland also one future superstar in team called Jussi Sundell. 15- years old Sundell is very talented U-winger who got great skills.

4.) Who are your favorites for the World Cup title?

Slovakia is favorite to win gold. Czech Republic and Latvia are next and then comes Serbia and Finland. I think that those five teams got the best chances to win championship. I believe that one of following teams surprises and will play in final: Poland, Hungary and Russia. Every team needs luck to win championship.


5.) What do you think of awarding the U18 World Cup to Germany and what do you associate with "Germany"?

I may sound like Kimi Räikkönen but I don't really care about where the world cup will be played :D. Oktoberfest, beer culture and 3-3 draw against Finland in football came first to my mind.

Lithuania:

1.) What is the goal you want to achieve with the team at the upcoming U18 World-Cup?

Our goal are the Top8.

2.) Which teams are the main competitors in order to achieve your goals?

I think , Germany, Spain and Czech Republic.

3.) Which players are the best (the greatest) and the best talents in your teams?

This player is the best Nikolas Jucevičius.

4.) Who are your favorites for the World Cup title?

Hmm, i don't know.

5.) What do you think of awarding the U18 World Cup to Germany and what do you associate with "Germany"?

I think will be a good spectacle. What do you associate with "Germany"? - beer :)

Spain:

1.) What is the goal you want to achieve with the team at the upcoming U18 World-Cup?

Our intention is to be able to be in the PO of the final phase.

2.) Which teams are the main competitors in order to achieve your goals?

The teams are always the same in all the categories, Czech Republic and Slovakia, for his big number of users, has great advantage.

3.) Which players are the best (the greatest) and the best talents in your teams?

Our best player by overall rating and experience is Fernando Vázquez, but our best player or the most decisive will be our goalkeeper Tomas Baldomero.

4.) Who are your favorites for the World Cup title?

Czech Republic and Slovakia.

5.) What do you think of awarding the U18 World Cup to Germany and what do you associate with "Germany"?

I think it is a good chance that Germany trust in its possibilities, and make a good performance in this World Cup.

Poland:

1.) What is the goal you want to achieve with the team at the upcoming U18 World-Cup?

The primary goal is to achieve the quarter-finals. This goal must be achieved. Of course, we think about a medal zone.

2.) Which teams are the main competitors in order to achieve your goals?

At the beginning, it will be Spain and Finland, then we'll see. Every opponent is dangerous, because this is Top Division.

3.) Which players are the best (the greatest) and the best talents in your teams?

Best players in Polish National Team? So, I can name a few players: Filip Nowakiewicz, Tytus Sadlak, Patryk Dors and favorite player polish community - Dominik Białasz (he's a member of the national team from 3 seasons). Additionaly in the polish team, we have a very talented 16-years old players: Wiktor Piętosa and Olaf Białosiewicz, but they will be the strength of the team in the future.

4.) Who are your favorites for the World Cup title?

My candidate for World Cup title? Poland, of course! Furthermore, my candidates are Slovakia, Czech Republic and Latvia. This are teams that can win the title.

5.) What do you think of awarding the U18 World Cup to Germany and what do you associate with "Germany"?

What I think about Germany? Very put together and organized country. Additionally, Germany has a good beer and cars. As for the awards. In my opinion, the awards at this tournament are very good.

----

Thanks to all national coaches!