Starting this evening, Switzerland is hosting the Ice Hockey World Championship for the first time since 2009. For the host country, the challenge is twofold: organising a major international event successfully while also trying to win a first world title on home ice.
After a 17-year absence, the event will be in Switzerland until May 31. The 2020 tournament, originally planned to take place here, was cancelled because of the Covid-19 pandemic, further heightening the current anticipation among fans. A total of 16 nations will compete in arenas in Zurich and Fribourg.
The Swiss national team opens “its” tournament against the United States, crowned world champions last year in Stockholm after a final victory against – Switzerland. Now the national team is hoping to claim a historic first gold medal on home soil, having previously won three silver medals and eight bronze medals.
Beyond the sporting stakes, the tournament is also strategically important for Switzerland’s international image. “We’re going to showcase our know-how and light the way for 2038,” Marc-Anthony Anner, chairman of the championship’s board of directors, told Le Temps, referring to the Winter Olympics Switzerland hopes to host that year.
Translated using AI/amva