The preliminary group allocation was approved by the SIHF Executive Committee today. Groups A and D are going to play for a place in the qualification round in the capital city Bratislava, groups B and C in Košice.

Following the negotiations with IIHF representatives, the IIHF marketing partner Infront Sports & Media and the TV companies, the Slovak Ice Hockey Federation approved the preliminary group allocation for the 2011 IIHF World Championship, Slovakia. Groups A and D will play their preliminary group games in Bratislava. Groups B and C will be in Košice.

Russia, Slovakia, Germany and Slovenia (Group A) and Finland, the Czech Republic, Latvia and Denmark (Group D) will be allocated in Bratislava. Canada, Switzerland, Belarus and France (Group B) and Sweden, USA, Norway and Austria (Group C) will be based in Košice. The 2011 IIHF World Championship grouping was decided on the basis of IIHF World Ranking after the 2010 tournament in Germany.

„The current world champion the Czech Republic, the IIHF world ranking leader Russia and the home team of Slovakia will play in Bratislava. The fans in Košice can look forward to enjoy the top world hockey teams of Canada, the United States and bronze medal winning Sweden", said Igor Nemecek, the Chairman of the 2011 IIHF WM.