Ice Hockey : The national sport of Slovakia - Colin

Hello everyone, after three weeks in Slovakia, I can easily assure you that it is a very sporty country. In Malda Garda, our university city, we count 4 tennis courts with clay, several tennis courts on grass, an athletics circuit, a football field, etc... In addition, there are many activities to do in Bratislava, such as swimming pool and paddle. But in Slovakia, one sport stands out from its cultural landscape, and that sport is the national sport, ice hockey. When we arrived in Slovakia, during the general presentation of the country, ice hockey was entitled to a part of the presentation, that say how this sport marks the Slovak culture. Enough to create a rivalry with Finland, the "hereditary opponent" of the Slovaks for ice hockey, with whom they compete for the title of world champion (but the last time that Slovakia won the title was in 2002).

So I found it imperative to attend an ice hockey match, and on February 27 I was able to be at the TIPOS Arena, to watch a game. The match was between Bratislava's 'Slovan' team, ranked sixth out of twelve, and that of Nitra, another Slovak city, ranked third in the Slovak championship. To explain briefly the rules, the teams are composed of 6 players whose goalkeeper and the aim is to score goals with the puck (a small metal round), to do this, the players are equipped with a cross. A match lasts three times twenty minutes with 15 minutes break between each time. Even though the Bratislava team lost 2-0 at the game, the atmosphere was excellent, and this is largely due to the "ultras", very involved supporters who sing and play drums throughout the match. So, I used to sing (rather shouted) with them "Slovan", with a crown on my head with the team's effigy on it.

In the end, it is a very good experience to do at least once if you are passing through Slovakia. However, I was surprised by the very American side of this sport especially with the kiss cam, the mascot, the presenter who overplays a little, the cheerleaders, the flames for the arrival of players on the field, the omnipresent ads. I don't find this negative, but it makes a funny contrast with the rest of the city which has a very Soviet atmosphere. But I highly recommend it.