DEURNE - On Monday, March 20, Team Belgium U18 concluded its preparation for the DIV2B World Championship in Sofia with an exhibition game against the U20 team of Sportoase Antwerp Phantoms. It was a smooth double-digit win (1-14) although the mechanics only really took off in the second period.
Coach Marc Fransen, however, was satisfied. “Absolutely satisfied with the preparation work. We just finished one last training weekend. I don't think any team in our group prepared the way we did this time. That's what I told the boys. That thorough preparation was therefore necessary because we play in a higher series. If everyone in Sofia does their job and every player is willing to work hard there, we can achieve a good result. Our first goal is to stay in this division, winning a medal is the additional goal.”
There is a real team skating on the ice. The coach agrees. "Indeed. The whole idea of ​​the program we started within the federation is to work longer and more with those young players so that we know them too. In the past, there was hardly any time for this. Now we know them, and they know us. We know what to expect from each other. The group fits together really well. We've had three training weekends with these guys. We don't necessarily take the best players, but especially the most compatible ones so we can put a complete team on the ice. That often makes the difference. We noticed that last year.”
The first opponent is Chinese Taipei. Last year, the Belgians defeated this team 4-2, but Taipei eventually won gold and the Belgians silver. “A well-known opponent, but at the same time unpredictable because every year also means a different group of players. So, it’s always difficult with U18 teams, but I hope we have a nice tournament," said the coach. In addition to Chinese Taipei, Team Belgium will compete against hosts Bulgaria, China, the Netherlands, and Australia.
Competition Schedule
MON 27/03/2023 - 15h30: BEL vs. TPE
TUE 28/03/2023 - 19h00: BUL vs. BEL
THU 30/03/2023 - 15h30: CHN vs. BEL
SAT 01/04/2023 - 12:00: BEL vs. NED
SUN 02/04/2023 - 12:00: AUS vs. BEL
The matches can be followed via live streaming on RBIHFtv.