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Surprise of the Tournament, Team Europe has Absolutely Nothing to Lose |
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While some predicted the harsh downfall and struggles of the United States, others predicted the bright and exciting success of Team North America.
Canada was going to be good.
Sweden was going to be good.
Perhaps no one, however, predicted that come the knockout rounds of the tournament, Team Europe would still be standing. Given the furthest out odds by oddsmakers at the onset of the tournament, Team Europe was written off by many as an older team that would not be able to hang with the likes of the U.S., Canada, or the Czechs. However, here we are in the knockout rounds, and Anze Kopitar and Team Europe remain standing.
The oldest team in the tournament, made up of players from, Slovakia, Denmark, France, Austria, Norway, Slovenia, Germany, and Switzerland, was not given much of a chance by many in the hockey world. Their start against Team North America also inspired little hope, as the aged roster struggled to handle the speed and free flowing play of the North American young guns. They, however, were simply a victim of some surprise quality and perhaps a little unreadiness. In their final prelim game against Sweden, Europe stabilized themselves, worked around some keen line swaps by Ralph Krueger, and put together a quality performance that set the tone for their group endeavours.
While Europe has not had the benefit of a fourth line that has Joe Thornton on it, they have certainly received admirable performances from various depth roles. The lone french figure on the team, Marc-Edouard Bellemere has had a masterful tournament, as has the Danish contingent of Franz Nielsen, Jannik Hansen, and Mikkel Boedker. Roman Josi has played massive minutes, and surprisingly, so has free agent German defenseman Dennis Seidenberg. The mix and match of styles, backgrounds, ages, and nations has culminated into one pretty awesome story, and one that is staring at a memorable and proud finish regardless of the result they may receive against group winners Sweden on Sunday. They go in, like they have all tournament, with nothing to lose. While expectation has weighed heavily on the big teams like Finland, the. U.S, Canada, and Sweden, Team Europe has had no pressure and really no expectations coming in. In the end, the veteran roster has done one many thought they couldn't do, and played some pretty solid hockey which culminated in a few wins and a potential medal spot.
So what do they have to do to assure the unthinkable and make it to the finals? They must continue to play like they have been all group stages. With good goaltending, a calm and controlled style of possession hockey, Europe may yet have a chance against Sweden. Relying heavy on their big players like Kopitar, Sekera, Josi, and Chara, has opened up the ice for some of the riskier lower line players. Players like the aforementioned Bellemere, Hansen, etc. who have thrived in the tournament. While they face a tough task in solving the four line deep Sweden, with their extremely mobile defense, Europe may yet have more of a story to write in this World Cup of Hockey.
The surprising success of Team Europe can be an example to us all that sometimes a team can win in different ways. Team USA ultimately tried and failed at that, while Team Europe put together a roster of arguably the same or less quality to the USA, and succeeded. It comes down to the players on the ice, and Europe has played loose, they have played like they have nothing to lose, and they have played well overall. Hailing from nations with much less pressure than the U.S. or Canada, Europe should also serve as a reminder to anyone playing hockey in the next tier of the international level that you can win, and you can have your spotlight, even if you are playing in the obscure ranks of the Norwegian League (Like San Jose's Rudolfs Balcers), or played your junior hockey with the Rødovre Mighty Bulls in Denmark like Jannik Hansen.
Team Europe wasn't given much of a chance, it seemed hokey at first, and more like a throw together for the World Cup to appease those nations wanting a team like Slovakia and Switzerland. In the end though, they have been a great story, one that has been fun to follow and watch, and ultimately send the message that not all great players play for the major nations. They still have some business to attend to on Sunday as they take on Sweden. However, with nothing to lose and everything to gain, Europe can play freely and maybe write one more chapter to this story before dissolving, likely for good. Regardless of results, they have done their nations and fans proud.
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