The first day of the Slovakia Cup 2011 brought smiles to the faces of Slovak hockey fans. The home team beat Germany 4:1 in the premier game at the newly reconstructed Ondrej Nepela Arena. Saturday’s final will see the Slovak team up against Switzerland in the bidding for the gold medal (17:00). The first face-off took place on Friday 11th February at exactly 13:05 in the premier game between Switzerland and Belarus.
The symbolic game between Slovakia and Germany was opened the Bratislava Council Chairman Pavol Frešo along with the capital’s mayor Milan Ftáčnik, assisted by Goooly – the official mascot of the upcoming championship.
On Friday the Bratislava 2011 IIHF World Championship traffic plan was tested out by the respective departments. “The test run fulfilled its aim, we ascertained when traffic is heavier and when it’s lighter. I can state that the traffic test run was positive,” said traffic project manager Ctibor Kováč. The next time Bratislava residents will be affected by traffic restrictions is during the 2011 IIHF World Championship.
Germany and Belarus will be fighting for third place during the first game on Saturday. The game is set to start at 13:10. The ten minute delay is for reasons concerning live German television coverage. According to the plan, the final between Slovakia and Switzerland is set to commence at 17:00. The organisers have asked spectators to show up for the game at least an hour in advance.
