World Cup: The Beauty of Team Europe vs Team Canada.

JA

Guest
With the defeat of Team Sweden this afternoon, Team Europe has advanced to face Team Canada at the 2016 World Cup Final. While some spectators naturally look on with cynicism, I think that this match up is the best possible outcome for the event.

In a tournament known as the World Cup, we have nine countries being represented in the Final, eight of which have been belittled at every international tournament by the world's strongest hockey nations. The World Cup has brought these countries together in a way that was never imaginable before.

What makes it so fascinating is that all of these countries that have conventionally been deemed the "underdogs" now have a chance to unite against the top-ranked powerhouse country, Canada, and potentially accomplish a feat that they would never have been able to do alone. This would be the ultimate tale of vengeance for them to be able to take down the country that generally crushes them at every encounter.

Eight countries that, on their own have no chance, are now united to face Canada and potentially take down the king of hockey. Even after being assembled as a group, they were laughed at and mocked, considered by many to be incapable of accomplishing anything during the tournament. By embracing one another and encapsulating the spirit of good will beaten nations, however, they have shocked the hockey world. They have beaten the odds and now, together, have a chance to dethrone the top nation in hockey.

"Seven Nation Army" is their goal song, although eight stand in harmony as their fans cheer as one; this alliance of eight flags gives them their greatest ever opportunity for revenge. This is the story of the little guys working together to take down the king.

Team Europe has proven to be a much-needed beacon of comradery and a symbol of the cosmopolitan community; putting aside their differences and understanding that more can be accomplished together than alone, countries may humble themselves and be as kin. This is one of those rare instances in international sports. This group has triumphed above all expectations.

No matter how this three-game international series unfolds, it should be remembered as the time the underdogs banded together to achieve the unthinkable, including potentially defeating the team that nobody else could. For that, this is an historic moment in hockey -- the time that those countries that receive no respect as hockey nations came together to spite their naysayers, defeat their most fearsome nemeses, and possibly win it all.
 
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Ivo

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14379992_10210903467008466_878441053804578128_o.jpg
 

Laphroaig

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Aug 26, 2011
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Nicely put although the European team has players from eight countries, not seven. Slovakia, Germany, Switzerland, Denmark, Norway, France, Slovenia and Austria.
 

Past Considerations

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May 13, 2007
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I think that this match up is the best possible outcome for the event.
It can be in the way you put it, or it can be as a way to prove that these gimmick teams were a bad idea. There's no way this was the desired final pair. A complete anti-climax and tv ratings disaster.

Which is good news to everyone who doesn't want to see these two teams again or this whole tournament again at all as the Olympics replacement.
 

Beau Knows

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Mar 4, 2013
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Yeah, I think it will be fun. Europe seems to have come together to form a solid team. Maybe this group can do a better job of challenging Canada than the US and Russia did. They didn't have anything to challenge Canada with and neither did Sweden last time they met.
 

Hanji

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Oct 14, 2009
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We could've had a classic Canada v Sweden final; it might have saved any dignity this tournament had left. But alas...

So stupid.
 

FlareKnight

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Jun 26, 2006
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A beautiful sentiment. Unfortunately I don't see how it's going to be that interesting watching Canada stomp Europe in a couple games.

A miracle result will be if Europe can steal a game. But that's about the high point we can expect here.
 

Sonic Disturbance

Grandmaster User
Jan 1, 2009
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The beauty of Team Canada vs Team Europe is that we will see a real international team smack down a gimmick team.
 
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bob27

Grzelcyk is a top pairing defenceman
Apr 2, 2015
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Would be a fitting end for a gimmick team to win a gimmick tournament.
 

Confucius

There is no try, Just do
Feb 8, 2009
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We could've had a classic Canada v Sweden final; it might have saved any dignity this tournament had left. But alas...

So stupid.

I consider Sweden the fourth best team at this tourney. Although not a travesty it would be a Poor choice of opponent to make the final.
 

Big Phil

Registered User
Nov 2, 2003
31,703
4,146
It does reek of being anti-climatic. At least Sweden would have had some history behind it. Let's say the miracle happens and Canada loses. Then what? Who claims victory? It is just too muddy. I just wish that the two teams that had the best and most intense game of the tournament together (Canada/Russia) were playing in the final rather than the semi-final.
 

LEAFANFORLIFE23

Registered User
Jun 17, 2010
45,655
14,492
With the defeat of Team Sweden this afternoon, Team Europe has advanced to face Team Canada at the 2016 World Cup Final. While some spectators naturally look on with cynicism, I think that this match up is the best possible outcome for the event.

In a tournament known as the World Cup, we have eight countries being represented in the Final, seven of which have been belittled at every international tournament by the world's strongest hockey nations. The World Cup has brought these countries together in a way that was never imaginable before.

What makes it so fascinating is that all of these countries that have conventionally been deemed the "underdogs" now have a chance to unite against the top-ranked powerhouse country, Canada, and potentially accomplish a feat that they would never have been able to do alone. This would be the ultimate tale of vengeance for them to be able to take down the country that generally crushes them at every encounter.

Seven countries that, on their own have no chance, are now united to face Canada and potentially take down the king of hockey. Even after being assembled as a group, they were laughed at and mocked, considered by many to be incapable of accomplishing anything during the tournament. By embracing one another and encapsulating the spirit of good will beaten nations, however, they have shocked the hockey world. They have beaten the odds and now, together, have a chance to dethrone the top nation in hockey.

"Seven Nation Army" is their goal song, and this alliance of seven flags gives them their greatest ever opportunity for revenge. This is the story of the little guys working together to take down the king.

No matter how this three-game international series unfolds, it should be remembered as the time the underdogs banded together to achieve the unthinkable, including potentially defeating the team that nobody else could. For that, this is an historic moment in hockey -- the time that those countries that receive no respect as hockey nations came together to spite their naysayers, defeat their most fearsome nemeses, and possibly win it all.

Fairy tales aren't real, team Europe is going to get stomped into submission
 

Gromator

Registered User
Feb 10, 2016
11
0
"Gimmick team", "stupid idea", "not a real tournament"... WTF? You act as if we asked for this. We wanted our own teams in a tournament called "World Cup", we were not allowed to. Most of you defended that decision by saying that this format truly ensures a "best on best" tournament. And now that the midget team keeps eliminating everyone, suddenly it is just a stupid gimmick team that has no place in an international tournament.

Make up your mind. You wanted Team Europe in this tournament, now watch Team Europe win the stupid thing! :yo:
 

VanJack

Registered User
Jul 11, 2014
21,376
14,644
'Team Europe' is a "one-and-done" team, which has never existed before and will never be repeated again in the history of the so-called' World Hockey Championships'....oh the drama of it all!....can anyone truthfully look in the mirror and say they really care?....apparently the U.S. television audience could care less either....ratings are right up there with re-runs of Aussie Rules Footy....can we just put this farce to bed and get on with the NHL season?
 

Eb

Registered User
Feb 27, 2011
7,806
611
Toronto
Nicely put although the European team has players from eight countries, not seven. Slovakia, Germany, Switzerland, Denmark, Norway, France, Slovenia and Austria.

Meh. Has that player from France played in any games besides the round robin?
 

BB88

Registered User
Jan 19, 2015
40,908
20,536
Team Europe going to finals is a nice story but it's going to be tough to get motivated for watching full 60 mins of these games.

I'd like to see high quality hockey, something we rarely see, but now it's going to need a miracle.
 

serp

Registered User
Jan 17, 2016
20,737
12,671
Fairy tales aren't real, team Europe is going to get stomped into submission

While i don't think Team Europe will beat Canada ( no team in this tournament really had a shot at that if we're honest here ) sometimes miracle runs happen in sports . See Denmark 1992 or Greece 2004 winning the European Soccer Championships just two examples that pop into my mind.

Meh. Has that player from France played in any games besides the round robin?

Bellmare played every game. Boedker was scratched every game after the exibition.
 

VanIslander

A 19-year ATDer on HfBoards
Sep 4, 2004
35,337
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I'm Canadian but dang I also root for the underdog.

Here's hoping Team Europe wins a game to force Game 3 at least. And if they beat Canada in game 3 OT there will be a little smirk on my face. ;)
 

TLeafsFan

A True BeLeafer
May 16, 2014
5,772
10
Eastern Ontario
With the defeat of Team Sweden this afternoon, Team Europe has advanced to face Team Canada at the 2016 World Cup Final. While some spectators naturally look on with cynicism, I think that this match up is the best possible outcome for the event.

In a tournament known as the World Cup, we have eight countries being represented in the Final, seven of which have been belittled at every international tournament by the world's strongest hockey nations. The World Cup has brought these countries together in a way that was never imaginable before.

What makes it so fascinating is that all of these countries that have conventionally been deemed the "underdogs" now have a chance to unite against the top-ranked powerhouse country, Canada, and potentially accomplish a feat that they would never have been able to do alone. This would be the ultimate tale of vengeance for them to be able to take down the country that generally crushes them at every encounter.

Seven countries that, on their own have no chance, are now united to face Canada and potentially take down the king of hockey. Even after being assembled as a group, they were laughed at and mocked, considered by many to be incapable of accomplishing anything during the tournament. By embracing one another and encapsulating the spirit of good will beaten nations, however, they have shocked the hockey world. They have beaten the odds and now, together, have a chance to dethrone the top nation in hockey.

"Seven Nation Army" is their goal song, and this alliance of seven flags gives them their greatest ever opportunity for revenge. This is the story of the little guys working together to take down the king.

No matter how this three-game international series unfolds, it should be remembered as the time the underdogs banded together to achieve the unthinkable, including potentially defeating the team that nobody else could. For that, this is an historic moment in hockey -- the time that those countries that receive no respect as hockey nations came together to spite their naysayers, defeat their most fearsome nemeses, and possibly win it all.

:handclap:

Except eight European countries have players representing.
 

Rebels57

Former Flyers fan
Sponsor
Sep 28, 2014
76,757
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If Europe can win even 1 game it will be one of the biggest upsets in Hockey history.

I know ill be cheering for them. The way they all came together has been fantastic.
 

Rebels57

Former Flyers fan
Sponsor
Sep 28, 2014
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Meh. Has that player from France played in any games besides the round robin?

As others mentioned, Bellemare has been a crucial player for them. Hes on the ice in every important defensive scenario and has played well offensively too. He really brings it on the international stage. Hes playing way above his level he brought in Philadelphia the past 2 seasons.
 

TLeafsFan

A True BeLeafer
May 16, 2014
5,772
10
Eastern Ontario
'Team Europe' is a "one-and-done" team, which has never existed before and will never be repeated again in the history of the so-called' World Hockey Championships'....oh the drama of it all!....can anyone truthfully look in the mirror and say they really care?....apparently the U.S. television audience could care less either....ratings are right up there with re-runs of Aussie Rules Footy....can we just put this farce to bed and get on with the NHL season?

Or history is being written and this "gimmick" team becomes a regular team for future events. They certainly proved competitive.

As for Team NA, the darlings of the tournament, I can see evolving into non age restricted players that weren't originally selected by a non age restricted Canada and U.S.
 

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