Before the meeting, Belarus lost to Germany in Frankfurt am Main, 1:3, although several of the squad’s key players were absent, as in Slovakia: all the NHL and some Continental Hockey League players were unable to participate. In the first (semi-final) match of the Cup of Slovakia, Eduard Zankovets’ trainees met Switzerland, losing 1:3. Simultaneously, Germany faced Slovakia, who proved stronger. In the match for bronze, Belarus took revenge for its recent defeat by the German team, crushing them 4:2. Incidentally, the Slovak squad is currently coached by Belarus’ former trainer, Glen Hanlon.
Belarus’ Slovakian matches are good training for the coming World Championship, to be hosted by the Slovakian cities of Bratislava and Kosice, from 29th April to 15th May, 2011. In the first round of the grand event, Belarus will play against Canada, Switzerland and France, within subgroup B. In the second round, the top three teams from four groups will continue to battle for medals.
