IIHF Worlds Championship 2024

[LTU_btc]

Between 10th-26th May in Czech Republic cities Prague and Ostrava 2024 Ice Hockey World Championship will be played. 16 teams in 2 groups will play and this is how groups looks:


Canada is reigning champion, Germany is unexpected runner-up and last year Latvia finished 3rd with their first ever medal.
Nothing surprising that we have same favorites like every year, this is outright odds;

[AmoreJaz]

That's surprising! Even if Latvia finished 3rd last year, their initial odds is at  65.5, meaning - bookies may be seeing their accomplishment last year to be more of luck. But in this event, I believe it is better to place your bet once the elimination rounds start. So you can see how the teams are performing inside the arena. You will have idea on the athletes and their initial performance as well.

[TopTort777]

Less than 6 hours left until first games starts. Surprised that people show so little interest to this event and to hockey in general. This evening we will get two nice games. Sweden vs USA and Czech Republic vs Canada. I suggest to put few beers in your freezer right now Aldo interesting to see how Switzerland has improved during this year. They surprise me more and more each year. And I think I am seeing Poland on such high level of competitors for the firs time.

[LTU_btc]

Yesterday's Slovakia Germany game was such roller coaster with ups and downs from both teams and Germany won 4:6.
In 3 periods and overtime between Finland and Czech Republic we didn't saw any goals, so, game went to penalties were Czech Republic won. In regular time there was strange moment when Czech goal was cancelled after coach's challenge. For me it looked like good goal.
6 games today, 2 already started.

And I think I am seeing Poland on such high level of competitors for the firs time.

They were in top division, but it was very long time ago. In recent years their level incressed a lot, but not sure that it will be enough to stay in top division.

[TopTort777]

Ffs, I am impressed by Poland game. You say they were in top division long time ago, but now they have returned and caused troubles to last years bronze medal winners. Either Latvia are slow starters these year, or Poland arrived prepared well to this tournament. Latvia should have bitten those rookies in main time with few goal advantage, but to be saved in overtime.

[LTU_btc]

Ffs, I am impressed by Poland game. You say they were in top division long time ago, but now they have returned and caused troubles to last years bronze medal winners. Either Latvia are slow starters these year, or Poland arrived prepared well to this tournament. Latvia should have bitten those rookies in main time with few goal advantage, but to be saved in overtime.

While Latvia so far impressed not from positive side. Same like against Poland, game against France they won just after overtime. These wasted points can cost them a lot later, I just remind that they barely got out of group stage last year.
About other games, we had no upsets so far, favorites having easy life against underdogs and winning games with big margins. Now there is fun game in play currently between neighbours Austria and Switzerland, Switzerland leading 3:4 in 2nd period.

[TopTort777]

Why nobody is discussing team Great Britain performance? Such a rare guest in ice hockey tournaments People are used it team GB being weak, but they scored twice against Canada (but later lost to Finland 0-8). This is something they going to put in school books or show in highlights. In general, everyone plays their usual group stage games, only Germany stands out with one victory and one lost game so far. There were tougher last year.

[LTU_btc]

Latvia took their 1st win in regular time after beating Kazakhstan 2:0 and I made some money on this game. Evening games is boring, Canada is crushing Austria, France doing same against Poland.
Yesterday was much more fun, especially Slovakia win against USA in extra time or Switzerland win in OT against host Czech Republic. For hosts tournament isn't going perfectly.

Why nobody is discussing team Great Britain performance? Such a rare guest in ice hockey tournaments People are used it team GB being weak, but they scored twice against Canada (but later lost to Finland 0-8). This is something they going to put in school books or show in highlights. In general, everyone plays their usual group stage games, only Germany stands out with one victory and one lost game so far. There were tougher last year.

Not sure what to say about Great Britain as they didn't made anything what stuck in my mind. Probably leading against Canada for 30 seconds was most significant thing they did
It's already second time when they got promoted in recent years, but seems that they're going to lower division again.

EDIT, my post aged so badly, Austria made crazy comeback from 1:6 to 6:6 in 3rd period and we're going to extra time. Crazy!
But Canada scores already on their first attack on Overtime and wins 7:6.

[TopTort777]

Not sure what to say about Great Britain as they didn't made anything what stuck in my mind. Probably leading against Canada for 30 seconds was most significant thing they did

That will be written in history books for school.

EDIT, my post aged so badly, Austria made crazy comeback from 1:6 to 6:6 in 3rd period and we're going to extra time. Crazy!
But Canada scores already on their first attack on Overtime and wins 7:6.

Yeah, what a game. I have never seen anyone ever made such a comeback. How come Austria lost to Denmark 1-5, but score 5 times in third period against Canada? And now stands next to Great Britain in standing.

Team Germany are somehow playing bad this year. They dont look like 2023 silver medal winners at all.

[TopTort777]

Team Germany are somehow playing bad this year. They dont look like 2023 silver medal winners at all.

Lol, they probably have read my post and beat team Latvia 8-1 Team Germany game is very unstable this year. One day you lose with large score difference, next day you dominate your opponent with large score difference, when previous year these two teams ended with #2 and #3 places.

Todays games are going to be beating. Its a tournament favourite against "fighting to stay in top division". But tomorrow team Germany must score a lot, because I feel like number of goals (but not points) in this tournament will determine their opponent in play-off.

[LTU_btc]

Lol, they probably have read my post and beat team Latvia 8-1 Team Germany game is very unstable this year. One day you lose with large score difference, next day you dominate your opponent with large score difference, when previous year these two teams ended with #2 and #3 places.

That was brutal one, Germany were favorites, but it was difficult to expect such result. As these both teams most likely going to compete for 4th place, now Germany gained big advantage. And in general, they have easier remaining schedule.
In A group today Austria made big upset by beating Finland 3:2, despite that Finland were already leading 2:0. Though, it looks that 4 teams that will go to next stage is almost decided in this group.

[LTU_btc]

Things didn't looked bad for Latvia when in 2nd period they scored 2 goals in less than minute and made score 2:2 with Sweden. But it ended with another big loss 7:2, it could be much worse, considering how many times Sweden had power play in 3rd period. Now their chances to reach next round and repeat something what they did last year looks very complicated.
Canada - Finland was fun fun game which ended with hard Canada win. Finland is risking a bit to not reach next round, next their game against Denmark which is direct competitor, but I think it won't be difficult and then Swtzerland in last round.
P.S. Basically, there is just 2 of us discussing this tournament, a bit surprised about such low interest, in previous years there was a bit more activity.

[LTU_btc]

2024 World Championship groupstage is over and this is how standings looks:

Sweden is only team with perfect score, while Slovakia takes last spot in 1/4 finals, despite losing to Sweden. They got postive result from other game where USA won against Latvia. Great Britain and Poland relegates to lower division just after year in top.
This is how 1/4 finals looks like, all games will be played on Thursday.

[LTU_btc]

All 4 1/4 final games were played. If early quite high scoring (especially Canada - Slovakia which ended 6:3), then evening games were complete opposite. Stakes were high and teams didn't risked much.
For tournaments host Czech Republic 1 goal from power play was enough to beat USA. Another tournament that ends for USA so early and believe it or not, last time they won World Championships was in 1960.
Both Canada andSwitzerland won without much problems, what was probably expected.
Finland - Sweden game, we saw goals only in late minutes of 3rd period. Sweden scored 1st goal, but Finland managed to respond and send game to overtime. And in overtime Sweden won game by scoring goal from powerplay.

Semifinals will be played on Saturday

[TopTort777]

Seems that Canada is going to take their 29th title But personally, I would be extremely happy if Switzerland takes gold medal. They have never won gold medal, but were many times recently close to it. I really sympathize them. For many years they have finished before play-offs, but recently they finish not lower than on top5. And since only few from their roster are from NHL, what they did on ice is a great achievement.

P.S. Only 15 posts in topic... Even Eurovision s**t contest get more attention...

[Moreno233]

That's surprising! Even if Latvia finished 3rd last year, their initial odds is at  65.5, meaning - bookies may be seeing their accomplishment last year to be more of luck. But in this event, I believe it is better to place your bet once the elimination rounds start. So you can see how the teams are performing inside the arena. You will have idea on the athletes and their initial performance as well.

This is where gambling comes in. From such odds, it is pretty obvious that they might not survive but nothing stop us from through a few bucks into it, not out of desperation to win but just as a gambler to sometimes does not have to work with emotions. I will definitely do more digging into the present form of some of the big odds and spread some money on them so that if things does not go in the ways of the bookies, then and I can enjoy some good wins. I won't be bothered if the money is lost because 

The bookies actually understood that Canada is the home of hockey as they have won the trophy more than any nation in history. So it is basically easy to pick them as the favorite to win this years' tournament.

[TopTort777]

The bookies actually understood that Canada is the home of hockey as they have won the trophy more than any nation in history. So it is basically easy to pick them as the favorite to win this years' tournament.

It sounds that Canada always becomes champions, but during last 10 years they won gold medal 4 times. The result is unbelievable though, but it is better to say that almost every year they get any medal, then make them as an easy pick to win tournament. As there were years when they were not in finals.

[LTU_btc]

Seems that Canada is going to take their 29th title But personally, I would be extremely happy if Switzerland takes gold medal. They have never won gold medal, but were many times recently close to it. I really sympathize them. For many years they have finished before play-offs, but recently they finish not lower than on top5. And since only few from their roster are from NHL, what they did on ice is a great achievement.

P.S. Only 15 posts in topic... Even Eurovision s**t contest get more attention...

Yeah, Switzerland in most of recent Championships finishing in high places, but often small details or just bad luck don't let them to end on the top. Personally I support Czech Republic. They made one of best championships for a while in terms of atmosphere, most of games is sold out, even when hosts aren't playing. And it's been a while since they won gold last time.
But it feels that we will have Sweden vs Canada in the final, these teams played best hockey all tournament long.
And yeah, sad about low interest, but probably it's not surprising, I think we don't even have active topic about NHL.

[LTU_btc]

Yesterday both semifinals were so great. Sweden weree leading twice but what was done by Czech Republic in 2nd and 3rd period was something special. 3:7 and hosts going to the final.
Canada - Switzerland, after Switzerland took a lead 2:0, Canada pushed so hard, made score 2:2 and I thought Switzerland won't survive this. But they did it and won game after penalties.
Today my money is on Czech Republic. Nothing against Switzerland, but watching how Czech Republic plays gives me most joy. While 3rd place game, it's 50/50, question who will be more motivated after failing to reach final.

[TopTort777]

Well, we can congratulate Czech Republic for winning gold medals. I really wish to see gold medals on Switzerland neck. But... I dont really love to watch finals, as both teams are cautions all the time and try to catch when their opponent makes error. Exactly that has happened yesterday. The first goal was on the 11 minute of third period. And the last was in empty net. I dont even remember they had penalties in that game. Like I have said, stakes are to high and team prefer not play from defence and wait.

Games for third places are always much interesting. As one team get a medal, and other just diplomas Sweden and Canada showed great game. 1-0, 0-1 and starting third period with even score. Now that is where real hockey starts. If I am not mistaken, this is the first time among many years when Canada goes home without medals.