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.
