Team GB

Lachowicz: Anticipation is higher than ever

By Lucy Gordon

Posted on 8th May 2019

Lachowicz V Slovenia 2018, British Ice Hockey

Forward Robert Lachowicz says there is an air of anticipation like he has never known as Great Britain continue their preparations for their first top-flight World Championship game since 1994.

GB will meet Germany on Saturday in Kosice in Slovakia as they play the first of seven games in Group A.

Pete Russell’s side will also face Canada, Denmark, USA, Finland and Slovakia, before their final group game against France on 20th May.

Lachowicz said: “Any build-up to a World Championship is exciting but this is something else.

“We know we are about to embark on something very special and you can tell there is an amazing feeling of anticipation in the camp.

“Our preparations have been excellent and Saturday’s game against Slovakia was a real indicator of the standards we need to set in the coming days.

“To be able to play the best teams and some of the best players in the world is something that will live with us all I am sure for a long time.

“But we are not coming here just to make up the numbers, we believe we can make an impact at the tournament.”

GB have spent the first part of their training camp in Slovakia in Michalovce and will move to Kosice on Thursday.

The team have made visit to a local school and took part in some English lessons, before a trip to the mayor’s office where they also met Andy Garth who is the UK ambassador to Slovakia.

In addition, they had a training session with some youngsters from the local ice hockey club in Michalovce.

“It has been great to get involved in the local community over the past few days,” said the Nottingham Panthers forward.

“It was great to see so many smiling faces and we got to do some very special things with the community.”

Photo: Dean Woolley