Favourites Make Strong Start in European Championships

The 2011 International Paralympic Committee (IPC) Ice Sledge Hockey European Championships got underway at the weekend with victories for Italy, Czech Republic, Germany, Norway, Great Britain and Russia in the opening games.

On Saturday evening, defending champions and Vancouver 2010 Paralympic Winter Games bronze medalists Norway underlined why many people believe they will retain their crown with a convincing 5-2 victory over Estonia.

Elsewhere in Group A, the Netherlands suffered two defeats, first on Saturday 10-0 to rivals Germany and then on Sunday 1-0 to Great Britain.

In Group B, Italy beat Russia 3-0 in the first game of the Championships on Saturday lunchtime and the Czech Republic who were runners up last time round hammered hosts Sweden 7-0.

On Sunday, Russia, with a fairly inexperienced which is preparing for the Sochi 2014 Paralympic Winter Games, bounced back from their defeat to Italy to defeat Poland 4-2.

On Monday there are four fixtures.  In Group A Germany will face Estonia and Norway play Great Britain.  In Group B Italy face Sweden and the Czech Republic meet Poland.

More than 130 players from 10 different countries are competing in the 2011 IPC Ice Sledge Hockey European Championships, the biggest event since last year's Vancouver Paralympic Games.

The 10 competing teams have been split into two groups of five. The groups are:
Group A
Estonia
Germany
Great Britain
Netherlands
Norway

Group B
Czech Republic
Italy
Poland
Russia
Sweden

For more information about the 2011 IPC Ice Sledge Hockey European Championships, which are from 12-20 February, please visit the official website at www.pwwc.se.

For more information about Ice Sledge Hockey, please visit www.ipc-icesledgehockey.org