Just 24 hours before this year's CHL Final, coaches and players attended a pre-game press conference to look ahead to the match.
by Luke Fisher
GOTHENBURG – The press conference was opened by CHL President Anders Ternbom, before coaches Roger Ronnberg and Jiri Kalous, joined by players Joel Lundqvist and Petr Vrana.
To recap some of the key statements from those involved:
The coaches
"We’ve been thoroughly preparing for the Final for about four weeks. We know we have to play better than in some of our recent games. We know Sparta – they have a very strong and experienced team, but we have to be on top of our game first and foremost," said Frolunda coach Roger Ronnberg. "(Sparta's) team is a bit older on average so more experienced. We enjoy playing in the CHL, it’s an hour and fun at the same time to travel across Europe playing different teams. It’s a very important competition to us."
Opposite number Jiri Kalous added that he's done some research on Frolunda. "I watched Frolunda’s league game last Thursday and they’re a strong skating team. They’re very active with the puck all over the ice, they don’t give up on anything and they’re very fast in transitional play," said the 52-year old. "It’s no wonder that they’re top of the SHL, but we have to focus on our game and see what they come up with – if they continue to play the way expect, or it becomes more tactical. If our players stick to our game plan, however, there’s always a chance. We’ve proven this against very good teams already in this year’s CHL."
The players
"It’s a big game, a big title, and we’re really excited for the game. We’ll focus on our own game, but they have a little bit more of an experienced team than we do. Sparta are a skilled team and you look at who they’ve beaten to get here and can see that they're are a very tough team," admitted Frolunda captain Joel Lundqvist. "We’re prepared for a very difficult game tomorrow. When it’s packed in this rink it’s loud, so it’s going to be a good atmosphere and a good night for hockey, hopefully."
From Sparta Prague, Petr Vrana added: "We’re playing against Frolunda, an experienced team who won this last year, the kind of team you want to play again. We always focus on ourselves, trying not to concentrate too much on the opponents, but we all know that Frolunda is a quality team, fast-skating, with a good all-round team game. It’ll be a tough game for us but we’ll focus on our own game and see what happens." The forward was also full of praise for the some-400 fans who are travelling from Prague for the game. "I saw the busses being loaded this morning. It’s exciting for everyone. Our fans have been following us and they deserve this as much as we do."