Nina Kamenik is sometimes a bit jealous. Their colleagues from the United States or Canada who have made their Hobby into a profession and ice hockey games to earn money, sometimes even so much that it is sufficient for an adequate life. “It would be nice if that were the case everywhere,” says the 33-year-old, knowing that it is until then, a very long way. On Thursday Kamenik, who is studying at the Humboldt-University sports and English contests, with the German women’s national team their first game at the world Championships in Espoo, Finland. Sweden will be from 11: 30 a.m. at the opponent and in this country there are even live pictures. Only in the case of Thefan.fm on the Internet, but alone this ensures that the German hockey Federation (DEB) for euphoria: “women’s hockey is on the rise, gaining more and more sympathy and followers,” said DEB President Franz Reindl in an Association message.
so far, it is not with the popularity but still. Since the German women moved in two years ago sensationally to the semi-finals of the world Cup, it has become significantly quieter. “Unfortunately, we had missed the Olympic 2018. Therefore, there was a small lull, and it went more to the men,“ says Kamenik. With the team you want to do at the world Cup, everything, in order to bring back a bit of the spotlight. “More girls play ice hockey and know that there are women’s hockey.”
Nina Kamenik of the polar bears is already playing their ninth world Cup
For the Berliner Kamenik, it is already the ninth championship, the fifth in the highest Division. “If you learn the atmosphere ever know, is of course an advantage,” she says. Nevertheless, it was every Time looking forward to the world Cup. The tournament in Finland will be held in two groups of five teams. In the stronger play, the favorites in the weaker of the relegation candidates. Including Germany. At least three in the group needs to be reached to the quarter final. More important is the classes is. “We want to remain in each case above, we’ll see about that,” says Kamenik.
Federal coach, Christian Künast’d rather not have to look too far to the top: “My first premise is very clear, not to descend,” says the former national team Keeper and assistant in Marco storm at the Olympics so the successful men’s team. Only since the end of November, the 48-Year-old national coach, a women’s team he had coached before. “We have learned in the preparation of, the implement, to which he attaches value. Now we need to see that we are bring the on the ice, what he wants,“ says Nina Kamenik.
So well in the Tests didn’t work but still. Against world Cup group opponents France, there was a few days ago a 0:2, and prior to that in February in a tournament in Russia, three defeats and only two goals. “You should not exaggerate. We have already shown that we can score goals,“ says Nina Kamenik. Important for the world Cup, especially the prelude to the tournament. Two years ago there was a 3:1 against Sweden and after that, the team played through the tournament. Now it’s back against the Scandinavians. “Of course we want to lie down again a really good Start,” says Nina Kamenik.
The games will be broadcast live on the Internet
In the other Play hits Germany, Japan, France and the Czech Republic. Two victories to the total, to earn a duel with one of the big Teams in the quarter-finals and perhaps also a bit of a larger audience to compete. “Because ice hockey in Finland is the national sport, I think that some viewers will come to our matches. So, in any case, more than in the Bundesliga,“ says Kamenik. With the polar bears, she has achieved this season in fifth place and the Play-offs missed. Next to her is Naomi Baer and Anne Bartsch of the Team for the world Cup has been nominated.
More about
ice hockey polar bears play in the women’s Bundesliga
Claus Vetter
the Berlin hope to a conciliatory end of the season. Maybe with a game against the super powers of North America. Even if the can like once two years ago to a bad end. At that time, the team lost to the USA in the semi-finals with 0:11. In order to have a real Chance against the best players in the world, must do a whole lot in the German women’s ice hockey.
