Arena Riga, one of the two stadiums that will host this year’s Ice Hockey World Championships.
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Although the Latvians have a contingency plan in place, according to Edgar Bunciš, head of the championship organizing committee, the only solution would be to use the Volvo Hall, which has two ice rinks.
However, it has one catch … The Volvo Hall is 20 kilometers away from the main arenas of Riga and the Olympic Sports Center, which would significantly disrupt the preservation of the so-called bubble in which all participants in the tournament are to be placed due to strict hygiene measures.
Everything you need to know about the 2021 World Hockey Championship in Latvia
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According to the original plans, Daugava was to be approved in mid-March, but the deadline is constantly being postponed. Bunciš even let himself be heard last week that the situation with the completion of the training hall is critical. During the last weekend, ice production was to start in Daugava, but the State Fire and Rescue Service stopped the action in the hall due to unsatisfactory safety criteria.
The Czech hockey players will start the world championships in Riga with a duel with the Russians
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“I do not like to admit that we will have to make changes, but we have had to find a solution. In terms of training plan, logistics and also safety requirements regarding coronavirus, the only solution is the Volvo hall, where there are two ice rinks, “said Bunciš.
“But such adjustments make the situation very complicating. Although the state police will be actively involved in the trials during the championship, there is still the issue of transporting participants, and this makes our lives very difficult. I really hope that we will achieve the original plan, “Bunciš believes that the completion of the Daugava training hall will eventually work out.
Done! It is already clear where the World Ice Hockey Championship will take place this year
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In the coming days, the Latvian government should decide whether to allow at least part of the fans access to the World Cup. For now, it is expected that the game will be played in front of empty stands.
The main venue of the tournament is Arena Riga (capacity 10,000), in which he plays his home matches in KHL Dinamo. Arena Riga will host all Group B matches (Canada, Finland, USA, Germany, Latvia, Norway, Italy, Kazakhstan), two quarterfinals, both semifinals and medal matches.
Strong Russians and Swedes await the Czech selection in the group. Arena Riga will also see derby with Slovakia
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Group A (consisting of the Czechia, Russia, Sweden, Switzerland, Slovakia, Denmark, Belarus and the United Kingdom) will take place at the Olympic Sports Center in Riga, which will be transformed into an ice rink with a capacity for 6,000 people. There will also be two quarterfinals.
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