Badminton: The China tower is collapsing?

Badminton:  The China tower is collapsing?

-Dr. Abdul Ruff Colachal

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The Chinese dominance in badminton game field is fast collapsing as the top seeds continue to faultier.

China remained the best players of the shuttles in all formats, generally.  However, diplomatic adjustments seem to have made them lose the games as early as possible.

For years China has topped in singles as well as doubles badminton both males and females but of late,  it is badly failing especially in woman singe tournaments  where  the Chinese shutters  just lose, and one gets the impression that they deliberately throw away their shuttles in favor India.

One does not know if Chinese leadership cannot stand the Indian girls crying loud losing again and again to Chinese players or maybe some other reason for that. But Chinese players do play to their natural skills.

May be, India and China having issues with territories, have decided to solve them through match fixing in badminton in which India pins hopes. .

China would never give away an inch of land to India or any other nation.  So, Beijing is trying another route to achieve its territorial objective- badminton. India and China   seem to be ready and eager to settle their border dispute if China settles for losing shuttles and let Indian women shine for a year or so.

There is also an awful tendency in badminton:  Chinese women try to avoid Indian women.  The badminton tournament schedules are fixed in such ways so that the top Chinese players do not meet Indians. So that India is safe. Like in cricket even in badminton also ranks and records are not clean if not totally bogus like cricket.

It does not look like healthy competition.

If China possesses Indian lands it has to surrender them quickly and don’t spoil sports like badminton.  Let the Chinese shutters play their normal games.

Craze for big cricket score: let bowlers bowl their own batboys!

Craze for big cricket score: let bowlers bowl their own batboys!

-Dr. Abdul Ruff Colachal

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The usual showoff World cup cricket is back now. Some teams want to win, some other teams want big runs for select batboys, and some others want big score or the teams. Only India wants the toss to bat and win.

 

Naturally, India, supported by huge resources of common people and backed by big powers and cricket world,   is eager to retain world cup somehow and it appears even the WC schedule it fixed to help India shine.

 

So far, India won every match it played so far and the opponents dutifully offered 300 plus runs to Indian team which always gets the toss and elects to bat first. India won the first match against Pakistan as Indian premier Modi had already spoken to his Pakistani counterpart Sharif over phone on the match eve, reminded the cricket matches in WC.

 

India also easily smashed even South Africa as it “got’ the toss and bated first and got 300 plus runs. Cricketers, pretending to be gentlemen play mischief, deceive the spectators.

 

One does not know if other teams have agreed to offer India both the bat and 300 plus runs. Or the governments have decided even the score aspect as well in their phone diplomacy.

 

But India has proved that no team is worth 300 runs in ODI, unless the bowlers help the batters, and hence both Pakistan and South Africa could not score and chase down bating second.

 

It seems the batboys, cricket boards, cricket mafias, etc want big hits from batboys.

 

Perhaps the best way to play cricket is that each team should display its bating prowess with their own bowlers bowling to their batboys. Naturally bowlers would throw easy balls for big 6s. The team that makes more runs can be the winners. However the total number of balls each batboys would face should be restricted in such a way that every batboy gets a chance to bat.

 

When own bowlers bowling  their batboys, the run score would be very high as there would  plenty of 6s and 4s as in the case of 6 over games, becoming very popular  in cricket world as every over fetches about 40 runs. All those retired can also rejoin the cricket parties on the field.

 

While 6s and 4s would be raining on the field, there would be no dotball bowled at all.

 

Meanwhile, one wonders if the rulers influence one another for a win in cricket matches, what would be happening in trade deals, especially in nuclear trade.

 

 

 

 

 

Chess World Champion – 2014: Again Magnus Carlsen!

 

Chess World Champion – 2014:  Again Magnus Carlsen!

-DR. ABDUL RUFF COLACHAL

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An almost unbeatable Magnus Carlsen is FIDE World Chess Champion 2014. Norwegian Magnus Carlsen,the world number one and Blitz-rapid Champion and defending Champion has retained the title 2014 by using what could now be called the Sochi method, defeating the five time champion Indo-Spaniard Viswanathan Anand.

 

The World Chess Championship 2014 was a match between the world champion Magnus Carlsen and challenger Anand, to determine the World Chess Champion. It was held from 7 November to 28 November 2014, under the auspices of the World Chess Federation (FIDE) in Sochi, Russia. After eleven of twelve scheduled games the match was decided. Carlsen defended his title, winning three games, losing one and drawing seven.

 

Magnus Carlsen successfully defended his title as World Chess Champion.  Carlsen retained the title after defeating the challenger Anand 6,5 – 4,5 in a match played at the Winter Olympic City of Sochi.Carlsen took the lead in game 2, with Anand immediately returning the blow in game 3. The Norwegian took the lead again in game 6 and managed to hold all difficulties in further games, in what turned out to be one of the most exciting matches of the century. Anando went “all-in” in game 11, but he did not find the precise continuation in a better position. The game went from won to lost, Magnus Carlsen took the full point and with it the title World Chess Champion 2014.

 

The eleventh game finally decided the fate of the tour which Carlsen won handsomely.  After the eleventh game of the 2014 FIDE World Chess Championship in Sochi, Russia, the Norwegian Magnus Carlsen flashed both the mental fatigue of a two-week fight and emotional joy of victory.

 

The critical move in the penultimate game of the match came when challenger V Anand, in desperate need of a victory, sacrificed his rook (27 …Rb4) in a bold yet ultimately ineffective maneuver as Carlsen outsmarted him in his own style. Soon, and with a knowing glance, Anand offered his hand in resignation to Carlsen. “I played it quite forcefully and he didn’t have any chances,” said Carlsen, who won the match 6.5 – 4.5 (best-of-twelve).

 

Last year, playing in Anand’s native Chennai, India, Carlsen needed just 10 games to unseat his opponent, whose shaky play was uncharacteristic of the four-time defending champion. But Anand came well prepared to tackle the world champion by working on his weaknesses and played better in this year’s match. . Also, Carlsen did not show that spirit he showed last year and in fact went too slow until the 11 game.

 

Carlsen struck first, in game 2, sealing a winning position. After this, Carlsen went cool and allowed Anand to hit right back with a win in game 3. It was also Anand’s first victory against Carlsen in championship play. Last year Aanado did not win a single game. Probably, Carlsen did a big service to him by letting him to win game 3 with big ease and too early.

 

 

After draws in games 4 and 5, Carlsen perhaps had decided to go for draws and blundered in game 6.Carlsen’s strengths, which lie in his ability to maintain pressure and wring positions to their last strategic drop, were on near-record display in game 7. As it entered the endgame, Carlsen, playing white, had one knight, two pawns and a rook, to Anand’s four pawns and rook. The position appeared drawn as it progressed but Carlsen pushed for winning ideas—for a total of 6.5 hours. But Anand’s defense held up well, earning him a draw with black in the 122-move affair, the second-most in world chess championship history.

Carlsen would later call what they it as an “exchange of ridiculous blunders,” pushed on for a victory, gaining a one-point edge. After three straight draws, Carlsen broke through yet again in the deciding game 11. “I have to admit in this match, all things taken into account, he played better,” said Anand.

 

True, Anando played very well but he is no match for all skillful and essentially quick and fast Carlsen. Clearly they are unequals. Age of course is not at all an issue here.

 

Last year Carlsen ended Anand’s 5-time reign as champion and Anand’s e strenuous efforts to   get back the tile has ended badly. He can still hope to fight again next year but F. Caruana could be the probable challenger if he decides to contest the Candidates tournament early next year.

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*د. عبد راف *

Educationist, Prolific writer, Specialist on State Terrorism; Chronicler of Foreign occupations &
Freedom movements (Palestine, Kashmir, Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan,
Xinjiang, Chechnya, etc.) Chancellor-Founder of Centor for International
Affairs(CIA);  Commentator  on world affairs & sport fixings, Expert on
Mideast Affairs, university teacher; Author of books/ebooks; Editor.

Unfortunately, today there is not even one Muslim nation
today practicing  truly Islamic faith and life.
(Account: No 62310377429* -* CIF No:
78215311481- State Bank of Hyderabad, India)  Phone: 91-8129081217

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Badminton: China sweeps Denmark Open

 

Badminton: China sweeps Denmark Open
-Dr. Abdul Ruff Colachal

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In a way to display their overall dominance in badminton sport, the Chinese have won in all formats of the game in Denmark on 19 October.

China duly accomplished a historic capture of all five titles at the Yonex Denmark Open this evening, stoutly withstanding the best that Indonesia, Japan and Korea offered as opposition.

In Men’s Singles, another chapter in the growing rivalry between Chen Long and Son Wan Ho unfolded in two engrossing games which could have gone either way. Son, who beat the world No.2 in the team tournament at last month’s Asian Games, was up 17-15 in the first game and 20-17 in the second, only to see Chen claw back with some risky and exciting shots. The 21-19 24-22 result in Chen’s favour sealed his title defence as he kept the crown he won a year ago. “This was not an easy win but I prepared well and took some risks in the second game,” noted Chen Long, who was planning a steak dinner to celebrate.

In Women’s Singles, Wang Yihan, former number one who prevailed over Wang Shixian in the same arena last October has lost to world number one Li Xuerui who had withdrawn from last year’s quarter-finals due to a bad skin rash, Li feels she has fulfilled the unfinished business in Odense Sports Park.

A distinct feature of China’s strategy was to work the shuttle around to find gaps in opponents’ defence. They may not have called it “revenge” but Xu Chen and Ma Jin exacted some satisfaction for their Asian Games loss to Tontowi Ahmad/Liliyana, beating the Indonesians 22-20 21-15 to take Mixed Doubles honours.

Already assured of the Women’s Singles crown – with two of the China’s finest battling for the coveted championship – the perennial powerhouse dismantled their rivals from other Asian nations; every match sealed in straight games. It was an emphatic performance that places the Chinese in the record books as the only country other than the hosts to sweep this esteemed tournament which is part of the MetLife BWF World Superseries tour. Begun in 1936, the Denmark Open featured all Danish winners in its first year and again in 1955. China came close to emulating that feat in 2005, 2008 and last year, taking four titles on each occasion. This time, they were not to be denied and even the Korean machinery of Lee Yong Dae and Yoo Yeon Seong in Men’s Doubles could not resist the force as China’s titans powered through Odense Sports Park, taking no prisoners. It took the wily veteran Fu Haifeng and Zhang Nan – better known for his Mixed Doubles prowess – to out-manoeuvre the usually resolute Koreans. For Fu, who has stood atop many podiums in his glittering career, it was a first in Denmark; his third time lucky having failed in two previous finals with two different partners. “I’m more experienced and he’s young and energetic so we complement each other well,” he said, following the 21-13 25-23 victory. “We played a magnificent match and I’ve very pleased to beat Korea and be a part of this Chinese team,” said the Olympic Mixed Doubles gold medallist, who has partnered Fu from January this year.

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*د. عبد راف *

Educationist, Prolific writer, Specialist on State Terrorism; Chronicler of Foreign occupations &
Freedom movements (Palestine, Kashmir, Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan,
Xinjiang, Chechnya, etc.) Chancellor-Founder of Centor for International
Affairs(CIA);  Commentator  on world affairs & sport fixings, Expert on
Mideast Affairs, university teacher; Author of books/ebooks; Editor.

Joint cricketism: Minimum runs scheme: Indian IPL rules applied to T20, ODI, Test as well

Joint cricketism: Minimum runs scheme: Indian IPL rules applied to T20, ODI, Test as well

-DR. ABDUL RUFF COLACHAL

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Everything in cricket is done only to promote fake cricketers. The pitch, toss, field and minimum fielders, keeper mischief, fielder mischief, bowler mischief etc are meant to make the ordinary and fake cricketers shine with 100s or at least 50 runs as per the demands of the cricket boards and mafias for special purposes. .

 

As terrocratic regimes offer national awards- and corperates big money- to cricketers, the craze for big scores and runs has now increased multifold, though the batboys fail even with friendly bowlers.

The rule of minimum score fixed by Indian BCCI-IPL-Dhoni in IPL India at 140 plus is becoming the ICC law and every team is now duty bound to offer at least a minimum score as prescribed by ICC, unofficially.

That is, in T20 minimum should be 140 runs, while in ODI minimum should be around 250 runs and the 5 day long nonsense called test cricket the minimum in first inning is fixed at 300 runs.

Now the bogus ICC is run by Indian corperates who want to promote fakes as real. . England has agreed to offer about 300 runs as minimum even if all 9 wickets fell, the tail-enders must get enough runs in order to save the international 5 day nonsense called test cricket. Bowlers resort to t20 tactics of offering 4s and 6s to boost the surviving batboys. .

In IPL led by BCC and Dhoni every team should get a minimum of around 140 runs so that the surviving batboys get some good runs at the end, if  other  batboys collapse and batboys occupy the  centre stage

In test 2, now, when Indian batboys collapsed, England offered enough runs to Rahane and pushed the score to 200 runs to reach 2300 runs eventually. .

It is known fact India always want to get the toss and bat first. So the toss is just a joke. If by chance the opponents get the toss, they must choose to bowl first

And Test-2 in England, England got the toss and chose to bowl first so that India can bat and shine. When India collapsed 178/7 the English frauds began promoting one surviving batboy Rahane with quick runs.

It is because England also seeks 100s for their batboys with Indian help.

In test-1, Indo-England played fake cricket by promoting the last two batboys with huge runs breaking all bogus world records

If Indian president and premier who happy offered Bharatratna post to a fake sport boy cricketer also play, would also get 100 runs. Surely, the bowers and fiddlers and keeper would help them archive new bogus records.

The IPL minimum runs scheme can benefit the leaders and parliamentarians as well.  Everybody in the corridors of power can be a Bharatratna!

I am sure; India would take up this as a prestige challenge.

Meanwhile, Pakistani PCB that also seeks hug money for cricket mafia and cricketers is eager playing with India to make full use of minimum runs scheme of IPL and seems to have agreed to play at the earliest to reap all benefits. . .

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Dr. Abdul Ruff Colachal, Educationist; Prolific writer; Chancellor-Founder of Centor for International Affairs(CIA); Independent Analyst-Commentator-Columnist;Chronicler of Foreign occupations & Freedom movements(Palestine,Kashmir, Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Xinjiang, Chechnya, etc.) Former university Teacher; website: abdulruff. wordpress.com/ abdulruff_jnu@ yahoo.com.

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Football: Germany Makes History, Winning World Cup 2014

 

 

Football: Germany Makes History, Winning World Cup 2014

-By Dr. Abdul Ruff Colachal

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As grand finale of World Cup 2014 at Rio, Brazil, Bayern Munich star Mario Goetze’s superb extra-time volley sealed a fourth World Cup for Germany with a 1-0 win over Argentina in a thrilling final on Sunday the 13rd July. Germay has become the first European team to triumph on South American soil.  Only Brazil, with five World Cups, have won the trophy more times.

The 22-year-old Goetze took the ball down on his chest brilliantly from Schuerrle’s cross and sweetly fired home the 171st goal of the tournament to equal the record set in France in 1998.  Goetze struck in the 113th minute to finally break Argentina’s resistance as Lionel Messi’s dream of emulating Diego Maradona ended in defeat.  A thunderous final meeting between Germany and bitter rivals Argentina was settled by a stunning goal from substitute Goetze befitting of such an outstanding tournament.  With only seven minutes remaining, and the game seemingly headed for penalties, Andre Schuerrle escaped down the left and sent in a spinning cross that 22-year-old Goetze controlled on his chest before slamming the ball past keeper Sergio Romero.

As their general strategy for the final, Germany deliberately denied chances to Messi, perhaps making him unhappiest man on earth now. Germany continued to probe for openings, and the pace of Argentina on the counter-attack continued to unsettle Germany however.

 

The magical Goetze strike meant Germany broke the South American stranglehold on World Cups held in the Americas, and Goetze became the first substitute to score the winner in the final. “All of Germany is world champion now,” the winners’ immense goalkeeper Manuel Neuer said after the Germans added the title to West Germany’s triumphs of 1954, 1974 and 1990. The result also left Argentina forward Lionel Messi without the title he so craved to crown his glittering career.

It will be a richly deserved smile on Manuel Neuer’s face.

As badly as all of Argentina hankered for a triumph in Brazil, Germany were worth their win over a subdued Messi and his team mates who counter-attacked dangerously but lacked the killer touch in front of goal, failing to get a shot on target. Messi, attempting to emulate the great Diego Maradona by leading Argentina to a World Cup triumph, had a poor final which was summed up with almost the last kick of the game when he had a chance to equalise with a free kick 30 metres out.

 

Indeed it was a thrilling  final. Both teams went looking to create chances in an open, attacking match that proved a real contrast in styles. Germany passed and moved the ball around far more than Argentina who relied on counter attacks but with scant reward.

 

With best defenses at the net, Germany dominated possession and came close to making their superiority pay off.  A pivotal moment came in the 88th minute when Miroslav Klose, Germany’s 36-year-old striker who set the all-time World Cup scoring record of 16 goals in the demolition of Brazil, went off to be replaced by the baby-faced Goetze.

 

Penalties looked to be the likeliest outcome, but Goetze had other ideas. Germany controlled possession without really testing Romero, while Argentina were unable to pass a German defence superbly marshalled by Mats Hummels and Boateng.

 

Argentina could have broken the deadlock in the first period of extra time when exhausted defender Mats Hummels allowed substitute Rodrigo Palacio a chance to score but Neuer came out fast and the forward lobbed his effort wide. The decisive moment was not far away, however, and it gave the World Cup a fitting finale.  “It’s unbelievable what we have achieved. Whether we have the best individual player doesn’t matter at all, you just need to have the best team,” said delighted Germany captain Philipp Lahm.  “We improved throughout the tournament and didn’t get down when things didn’t always go our way, we just stuck to our path and at the end we’re standing here as world champions. It’s an unbelievable feeling. “The team stayed calm and patient, we knew that we had something left at the end.”

Although the scoreline was the same as West Germany’s 1-0 win over Argentina in 1990, it never reflected that dour game in Rome and had far more in common with their exciting final in 1986 which a Maradona-inspired Argentina won 3-2 in Mexico City.

 

Germany has now won four World Cups, putting the European powerhouses just one behind Brazil’s record tally of five and it is eager to equalize and overtake Brazil at the earliest, if possible.

 

د. عبد راف 

Unfortunately, today there is not even one Muslim nation practicing  truly Islamic faith and life. 

Humanity has a right to know the truth which does not require endorsements. –DR. ABDUL RUFF COLACHAL has been an Educationist, Prolific writer, Commentator  on world affairs Expert on Mideast Affairs,  Former university Teacher;  Editor:INTERNATIONAL OPINION; FOREIGN POLICY ISSUES; Author of books; Dr. Abdul Ruff has published his views globally in  hundreds of   printed as well as online newspapers. website: http://abdulruff.wordpress.com/  Phone: 91-8129081217—(Account: No 62310377429 – CIF No: 78215311481- State Bank of Hyderabad, India)

Joint cricket exercises and Congress Bharatratna post.

Joint cricket exercises and Congress Bharatratna post.

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Joint cricket exercises through the IPL type gimmicks have brought the payers together in cocktail parties. The bowlers and fielders allow the batboys make 50 or 100 or more and they also congratulate the batboys in open on the field just like the regime agencies promote some batboys and also offer awards.

India is in England to play joint exercises with English boys , obviously on some packge deals. Maybe one Indian is slated for obtaining an award there or hon. doctorate free of cost, Dhoni has already got it last time now maybe someone else this time.

Cook has been trying his tricks to get a full 100 or more but Lankans did not oblige him but now but Indians are his hope

Possibly England would offer Indians good runs in the first innings so that they get similar return favors as per the cricket rules.

President of India and the regime should be ready now to offer Bharatna post to another cricketer. Congress, communists and other parties would support all cricketers for big awards because they also have cricket mafias and make huge profits.

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-DR. ABDUL RUFF COLACHAL

Chess: Magnus Carlsen wins FIDE World Rapid 2014

-DR. ABDUL RUFF COLACHAL

 

World Champion and world number one in international chess, Magnus Carlsen of Norway added ON June 18 June another fine feather to his decorated chess crown by winning the gold medal at the FIDE World Rapid Chess Championship in Dubai. Carlsen concluded the event with 11,0/15 points, half a point ahead of Fabiano Caruana (10.5). Caruana is awarded with the silver, thanks to the best tie-break score (average rating of the opponents). The world’s top rated player in rapid chess, Hikaru Nakamura, had a setback in the first round against Eduardo Iturrizaga and couldn’t achieve more than 29th place (8,5 points). Viswanathan Anando came fifth took the bronze with a shared 9 points.

 

The key moment was the penultimate round to which Caruana, Carlsen and Anand arrived with equal points – 9,5 each. Carlsen defeated Alexander Grischuk after miraculous escape from the poor position. Finally, Caruana lost to Aronian with white pieces and slipped down in the standings. In the same round, Aronian and Sergey Karjakin caught up with Anand on the shared second place.

In the last round Carlsen easily held Radjabov to a draw, waiting to see if any of his nearest followers could catch him on the shared first place. Aronian pressed hard against Anand, but could not make more than a draw. At the same time, Karjakin went down against Alexander Morozevich, and Caruana bounced back with a win against Le Quang Liem.

The defending World Rapid Champion from Khanty-Mansiysk, Shakhriyar Mamedyarov, had a bad start with 3/7 and a series of wins in the middle of the tournament was canceled by another poor display on the final day. 7,5 points and 54th place for the popular Shakh.

The FIDE World Rapid Chess Championship was held on 16-18th June at the Dubai Culture & Chess Club. The event was completed over 15 rounds with the time control 15 min + 10 sec.

In October Carlsen will met Anando for retaining the World Championship. Last year, Carlsen defeated Anando in Chennai, India to become the World Championship.

 

Cricketism: Bangladesh fixes Indian ODI score at 100 runs

 

Cricketism: Bangladesh fixes Indian ODI score at 100 runs

Indeed the bat boys get exactly or almost exactly what the bowling team decides and can offer.  At times, luck favors batboys as it deserts the bowlers who try hard for wickets without denying runs by resorting to dotball tactics. . . Cricket mafia wants 100s and 50s to be shared by tams.

Cricketism: Bangladesh fixes Indian ODI score at 100 runs. Cricketism: India ODI worth is 100 runs and Bangladesh, a weak team did not give more than that. Generally, when bowling first, BD offers to many runs so as to get some good scores for select batboys.

But on 17th June, BD gave hardly 100 runs to big brother and India collapsed like a waste pack of useless cards That is the real picture of joint cricketism of give and take.

BD did not give runs, so India l also did not give runs to BD, but will BD stick to its guns?

Or, will BD offer to many runs next time? That is the question! big question.

 

DR AAR

Russia wins Ice Hockey World Championship 2014

Russia wins Ice Hockey World Championship 2014

–DR.ABDUL RUFF COLACHAL

 

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The 79^th championship of Ice Hockey World Championship (IIHF) took place in Minsk, Belarus from 9 to 25 May 2014 and it will be. The decision to hold the tournament in Belarus was made during the congress of International Ice Hockey Federation on May 8, 2009 in Bern. Belarus hosted the event with games this year with the participation of sixteen teams.

 

Russia has won the final of the ice hockey world championship, beating Finland 5-2 in Minsk on May 25. Russia’s national ice hockey squad has defeated team Finland 5-2 in the battle for the gold at the 2014 World Hockey Championship in Minsk, Belarus.

 

This is Russia’s fifth world title since the collapse of the Soviet Union and 28th counting the victories of the Red Machine. The Russians got to the final unbeaten, taking 2013 champs, the Swedes 3-1. Sweden completed the podium, beating Czech Republic 3-0 in the bronze match of the championship. Following a disappointing failure at the Sochi Olympics – when the Russian team was bounced from the Games following a loss to Finland in the quarterfinals – the squad made a triumphant comeback at the World Championship. Olympic Champs Canada was eliminated in quarter-final play after a defeat to Finland.

Russian forward Viktor Tikhonov has become the top scorer and sniper at the championship, scoring eight goals and assisting his partners eight times during the 10 matches, flawlessly won by the Russian team. Another two Russian players – Danis Zaripov and Sergey Plotnikov – were the second and third top scorers of the tournament.

Earlier, Russia beat defending champion Sweden 3-1 to reach final at worlds: Russia beat  Sweden 3-1 in a matchup of the last two title holders to advance to the title game. Russia played in world championship finalagaint Finland for an easy win. World champions Russia had blanked France 3-0 in the quarterfinals of the ice hockey world championship on 22^nd May. They will now face defending champion Sweden in the semifinals on 24^th May. Russia star forward Evgeni Malkin made his presence felt in his second game at the worlds as he scored a power-play goal, and Artyom Anisimov and Alexander Kutuzov also scored at France’s expense. Goaltender Sergei Bobrovski stopped 16 shots for the shutout.

 

Finland last won the worlds in 2011. Sweden and the Czechs now have to recover for Sunday’s bronze medal game.Finland struggled in the group stage, losing three games, and needed a help from Switzerland to advance before eliminated Canada in the quarter-finals.Finland’s Jori Lehtera netted a backhand in the first period before Jarkko Immonen scored on a power play in the second and Lehtera added his second into the empty net in the third. Goaltender Pekka Rinne stopped 20 shots for the shutout.

 

 

The 2014 Men’s World Ice Hockey Championships is the 79th such event organised by the International Ice Hockey Federation. Teams participate at six levels of competition. The competition also serves as qualifications for the 2015 competition. For the first time in 1920 Ice Hockey World Championship was held during the Olympic Games in Antwerpen, Belgium and in 1924 the competition was included into the program of the winter Olympic Games. Since 1930 ice hockey championships has been held annually Before 1972 championships were held as a part of the Olympic Games (except for 1972 and 1976, in 1980, 1984 and 1988 the championships weren’t held at all) From 1976 the competitions became “open”: both professionals and amateurs got the possibility to take part in it  The competitions got a status of the World championship in 1982 together with admission of the Federation of Canada and the USA to the International Ice Hockey Federation

The Russian men’s national ice hockey team is the national ice hockey team of Russia, and is controlled by the Ice Hockey Federation of Russia. They are currently rated number three in the IIHF World Rankings; with 3040 points. The team has been competing internationally since 1993, and recognized by the IIHF as the successor to the Soviet Union Hockey Federation and have passed its ranking on to Russia. Today, it still follows a long tradition of Soviet hockey teams, composed mostly of Russian players. The Russian team replaced the Unified Team of the ice hockey at the 1992 Winter Olympics and the Commonwealth of Independent States team of the 1992 World Championships.

The Soviets were the most dominant teams of all time in international play. The team won nearly every world championship and Olympic tournament between 1954 and 1991 held by the International Ice Hockey Federation. Russia won the 2008, 2009 and 2012 World Ice Hockey Championships. Russia has a total of 63580 players, about 0.05% of its population. As of June 2011, their head coach is Zinetula Bilyaletdinov.

 

The International Ice Hockey Federation was criticized by human rights groups among others for selecting Belarus to host the world championships due to its poor rights record under the authoritarian rule of President Alyaksandr Lukashenka.