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Russian stars get together before Vancouver test
Published: 31 August, 2009, 20:29
Alexey Morozov, Alexander Ovechkin, Alexey Kovalev (Photo from sport-express.ru)
(11.9Mb) embed videoRussian Ice Hockey fans haven’t been able to celebrate Winter Olympic gold for 18 years - something the world champions will attempt to put right in Vancouver. On Monday they gathered at their training camp in Moscow.
Alexander Ovechkin, Ilya Kovalchuk, Sergey Fedorov – it may look like an NHL all-star game, but in fact it's just Russia's national team training.
The country's top players gathered up for three days in Moscow to start preparing for the upcoming Olympics.
The team now attracts massive attention, as more than three thousand people turned out to see the World Champions practicing, much to the delight of the players.
The crowd was enjoying it, as Team Russia did all they could to entertain their fans.
However, head coach Vyacheslav Bykov emphasized the importance of the training camp.
“This isn't an ice show. This is a part of very serious work. I'm very happy to see all our stars here. And I can say that all 36 players who are now at this training camp are ready to play at the Olympics. Even if it was tomorrow,” said Bykov.
Russia will enter the Vancouver event next February as slight favourites.
They won the last two World Championships, beating arch-rivals Canada in both finals. However, home ice should give the Canadians an advantage.
It's almost half a year to go until Olympics 2010. But with this kind of player-commitment to the national team, Russian fans can be sure – their team will head for the first gold in 18 years.
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