“Bobkin analyzed the opponents at the World Cup”, — write: sport.ua
“It was difficult with Estonia at the last two World Cups. Last year we conceded first in the first period and equalized only in the second. This time it’s the opening match, our opponent is playing at home, it’s always a very nervous game, so it won’t be easy.
The Poles are our stable opponent at the U20 level. We’ve been beating them lately, but there’s definitely no need to relax here, because we know all of each other’s secrets and the one who is stronger in that specific match will win. Next come three quick commands. The Italians are a team that lacks growth and power, but this is compensated by their good physical preparation, high speed and powerful pressing. We understand how to play against them, since we have met them for several years in a row. It was very difficult at the last World Cup (5:4 OT), but we did it and now we have come to the right conclusions.
Korea and Japan. They are similar, but the Japanese are much more skillful. These are two very disciplined teams that play like soldiers from the first to the last second. They do not get tired at all and it is very difficult to run over them. You just need to outplay, “squeeze with a rink” and play with the first number.
I had experience in the first year, it was also in Estonia, we played against Japan as the second seed. Then there was a national team of Simchuk, Borodai and Grebenyk, and we lost 1:3, because I decided then that we should play as number two. It was a serious mistake, we conceded. The next year in Poland, we already knew what was waiting for us, but the Japanese brought a very powerful team, then they “passed the rink” on everyone, including us. Now the Japanese have dropped back into our group and I can definitely say that this will be a game that we should approach in the best condition,” said Bobkin.