Eis Hockey 2010

After watching Ice Hockey for the first time at the World Championships between Russia and Kazhakstan, the offer of watching the quarter final between Germany and Slovakia was irresistible. So much action and violence behind the safety of fibre glass!

The stadium was packed by German fans and they distributed german flags but none from Slovakia. As would in Germany, at 1.5 mins before the game and referees came skating about and then the players at 30 seconds to go and the game started on the dot. India....

The slovaks fought hard, but the Germans played systematically (yes, even in Ice Hockey!). I supported the Slovaks and was one of the few in the middle of 16000 attendees. When the Slovaks scored, I instinctively jumped up and cheered only to be stared at by my neighbors. The Germans won 2-1 but it was a good lesson on national pride. The memory of Saeed anwar scoring 180 or more in Chennai against India with a standing ovation from the crowd came to my mind.