RUSSIA CRASHES DENMARK AND ABASH JOURNALISTS

On Saturday the Russian national team outplayed Germany 3:2 and yesterday overwhelmed Danes 6:1 thus securing a spot in the play-offs in advance.


The correspondents of thirty Russian newspapers were shocked: after a victory over Denmark neither (!) of the Russian players stopped to talk to the press in the mixed zone.

They called Ovechkin, Koshechkin, Malkin and Gonchar so much awaited at the tournament. The stars who talked so much about their love to the country, supporters and the national team would not turn their heads.

Somebody told referring to Maxim Sushinsky that the national team was to set up a boycott. Against whom? What for?

Probably the team gave a silent treatment after a notorious video with the players smoking in the restaurants and refused to communicate with their country. They evidently are annoyed with only victories and decided to escalate the atmosphere.

The head coach of the Russian team Igor Zakharkin appeared rather nervous and started to answer questions of the press.

"I am ready to answer your questions concerning the game," said Zakharkin. "All other questions address to Bykov at the press conference."

"The newcomers played a wonderful match – Malkin, Gonchar and of course Datsyuk. When a team wins 6:1 there can be no complaints against anybody."

"Malkin successfully joined the combination of Datsyuk and Kovalchuk. Gonchar brought in stability. The goalie played wonderfully."

"All in all there was no tension in defence though the opponent was well organized. One of the incentives why the guys arrived here is to try and recover in one of the main tournaments of the year. The motivation is very high in the team."

"I am not ready to answer whether Sushinsky and Mozyakin will be only subs at the World Championship."

"In the next game the goalie will be most likely Semyon Varlamov. And the pair of goalies for the play-offs is likely to be as follows – Varlamov and Koshechkin."

"Denmark is not that opponent and that success we all waited for. This is all just working days for us. And that is why we do not look very happy."

The head coach of the national team Vyacheslav Bykov was very emotional talking about the boycott of his players.

"You do not understand what is going on, do you?" exclaimed Bykov. "But try to walk in the players’ shoes for one time who are being dragged through the mud ever since the Vancouver-2010."

"Everybody is flinging mud on them – all papers, all magazines! This was the decision of the team!"

"I do not know how long this boycott will take. But I promise that three players will appear in the mixed zone after every match in conformity with the regulations."

"Of course I will try to talk to the guys but I cannot promise to change anything."