Taking place in Irkutsk, Siberia this year. Looking forward to the semifinals today between Sweden and Kazakhstan, and Russia and Finland. Sweden did well in the quarterfinals beating Belarus with 33-5.
Russia won against Canada with 22-1. A final between Russia and Sweden will be the most probable scenario.

Russia-Finland 3-1, Sweden-Kazakhstan 4-3. Final between Russia and Sweden tomorrow. As usual. Swedes were a bit lucky in the semifinal though.

Well Well Well Stoneage... Bandy seems to be big only in Sweden and Russia...4-3 for Sweden against Kazakstan isn't that impressing, but on the other hand isn't 3-1 against Finland nothing to write home about either...
Let's say 3 - 3 after full time in the final and Sweden wins on overtime....

Sounds plausible. It can go either way...

Congratulations Russia! Gold again. 3-2 to Russia. Sweden missed two penalties! The conditions besteaded the Russians (-22C, bad ice) who aren't as spoiled as the Swedes with indoor arenas.

Do they have internet in Russia? I have never heard a Russian commenting anything on this board. Strange...

I just "googled" Bandy

Great, Harm. Now you just need a pair of skates, a stick and some ice to get started...

I'm flabbergasted. No one cares about bandy? What kind of world do we live in?

Quote
Stoneage
Congratulations Russia! Gold again. 3-2 to Russia. Sweden missed two penalties! The conditions besteaded the Russians (-22C, bad ice) who aren't as spoiled as the Swedes with indoor arenas.

Do you play bandy indoors in Sweden?

<I'm flabbergasted. No one cares about bandy? What kind of world do we live in?>

Only the swedes, the norwegians and the finns care about marginal winter sports - not very big in Russia either, I reckon



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2014-02-03 15:13 by DandelionPowderman.

Is it an Olympic sport?

Quote
Koen
Is it an Olympic sport?

It was, back in the day...

I'm flabbergasted again that someone actually cared! Yes, we have indoor arenas for bandy in Sweden. There are some in Russia as well but not in Siberia. Russia and Sweden dominates the sport but Kazakhstan and Finland have good teams also. I guess bandy has to make it in North America too to qualify as an olympic sport. It really should be - it's a beautiful winter sport.

Norway beat Belarus 23-1, but didn't make the semi finals, of course

In modern times, we only made it there once...

The sport is totally neglected here. I like it, and knew the goalie on our national team back in the 90s.

Had to do some googling & do some reading at wikipedia but I must say it looks fun. Don't know if I'd want to watch an outdoor match in person but think I would enjoy watching at least as much as I currently enjoy soccer, field hockey or lacrosse.

Can any of the experts explain why the scores prior to the semifinals are so high while the semis & finals are so close?

Peace,
Mr DJA

I had to google it myself, never heard of it before! I didn't even know Canada had a team! I have no idea where they would even play here.

The trouble is that there are only 4-5 good bandy nations. Then there is a huge gap to the other nations. Hence the results in the quarterfinals. And they have done a very poor job marketing the sport.
To make it an olympic sport more nations have to adapt to the sport. Preferably Canada and USA.

Bandy is the most classic wintersport in Sweden just as Speedway is on summer...

Swedish Bandy-Team 1920


Speedway action pic

Love speedway!

After yet another wikipedia search, I can now say I'm a fan of Speedway. One gear & no breaks?!?! What's not to love?!?! I think I'm going to need to find a new cable tv sports package where I can start following Bandy & Speedway!

Too cool!

Peace,
Mr DJA