BONDRA: SLOVAKIA CAN SURPRISE EVERYONE

The general manager of Slovak hockey team Peter Bondra talks about match against Russia in Vancouver.


"We really have team of veterans", said Bondra. "We are not going to make experiments at the Olympic games. When we were to choose the squad, we staked on experienced players".

"I cannot say that we don’t have talented youngsters, but stake on players with rich experience is evident. They are professionals, who have been playing in the national team for a long time. All our best players are in Vancouver now".

"It’s pity that Slovakia doesn’t have such talented youngsters like Ovechkin and Stamkos. Slovakia’s population is only five million, while there are five thousand hockey players and 250 juniors in the country. If we have no young talents of Gaborik’s level, we cannot fill in the void".

"I am not joking when I say that any team can beat us in Vancouver, even Latvia, but we can beat them too. Of course we will try to win in all matches, however let’s be unbiased. It’s necessary to demonstrate our best hockey when it’s necessary most of all. Slovak team can surprised everyone at the Olympics".

"I like the scheme of the current tournament, as we always have a chance to correct our position. Maybe Canada doesn’t like this system because they are expected to win in all games, but it’s their business. Slovakian team is not under pressure and we have nothing to lose".

"I perfectly remember how we defeated everybody in our group in Torino – Russia, Americans and then Sweden, though it was a strange game. Unfortunately we didn’t show our best hockey in that quarterfinal match".

"At that time Alexandr Ovechkin was a rookie, while he became a real superstar then. That victory was a shock for everyone. I don’t say that we can’t beat Russia in Vancouver, but in order to do it we need many factors to help us do it".

"I hope that our players from KHL will perform here not worse than in their clubs, but their roles will change in the national team. Each player knows his area of work, so they will have enough time to show their best qualities here".