Before Italy's start: All questions and answers about the “Super World Cup”

Who are the favorites? The top favorite is record world champion Russia. The Russians are traveling with almost all of their superstars from the North American professional league NHL: Stanley Cup winner Alexander Ovechkin, NHL top scorer Nikita Kucherov, Olympic champion Ilya Kovalchuk and three-time Stanley Cup winner Yevgeni Malkin are just a few of them. Defending champion Sweden is also expected to win its third title in a row after 2017 and 2018. Goalkeeper Henrik Lundqvist from the New York Rangers is considered a national hero and is there like several other superstars. Why are there so many top NHL players taking part this year? Because an unusually large number of top teams failed early in the best league in the world. In the past, the strong nations often started with smaller squads so that they could add their best players during the tournament as soon as they failed in the playoffs. This year many of them have been there from the start. This also applies, for example, to Germany's top striker Leon Draisaitl from the Edmonton Oilers. How much spectacle can we expect? Fans and experts expect a lot. The teams with the largest individual class are not always the best teams. But it should be the best quality tournament in years. Switzerland and Sweden are among the Italians' toughest group opponents. © APA / HELMUT FOHRINGER

When does the Blue Team start the tournament? The “Azzurri” have to be patient until Saturday lunchtime, then the first showdown with Switzerland for their NHL superstar Roman Josi will take place at 12.15 p.m. The Swiss have long been among Europe's elite and want to reach the semi-finals of the tournament in Slovakia. Who represents the “Azzurri” in Slovakia? The Italians' 25-man squad consists of 3 goalkeepers, 9 defenders and 13 strikers. The majority of the squad consists of the 17 South Tyroleans around goalie Andreas Bernard and Swiss legionnaire Diego Kostner. Surprisingly, Alex Petan, Tommaso Traversa and Tommaso Goi were not taken into account. DEL champion Thomas Larkin canceled due to injury.

Click here for the video interview with Andreas Bernard . What are Italy's chances? With Sweden and Russia, the Beddoes team has two almost invincible opponents in their group. The Italians are also completely underdogs against Switzerland and the Czech Republic. The decisive games will probably be the games against Latvia, Norway and Austria, which are ranked higher than the “Azzurri”, but seem to be quite beatable.

Here national coach Clayton Beddoes reveals his recipe for success. What else is important? After the strange rise last year, remaining in the world group is the big Italian goal. To do this, the Blue Team would have to leave at least one rival behind in the ranking, although Switzerland, as the host of the 2020 World Cup, cannot be relegated. Under certain circumstances there could be a big “finale” for relegation against the red-white-red neighbors on the last match day (May 20th). Selection coach Clayton Beddoes wants to stay with Italy in the World Group. © DLife/Multari

Where and how can you watch the World Cup? The World Cup can also be followed on free TV in South Tyrol. SF2 will broadcast all of the Swiss national team's games, including the one against Italy on Saturday at 12.15 p.m. There will also be at least one quarter-final game as well as the semi-finals and the final. The satellite channel Sport1, on the other hand, broadcasts all matches of the DEB selection. There are also several online streaming options, such as the free one from the International Ice Hockey Federation IIHF.

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Before Italy's start: All questions and answers about the “Super World Cup”

The Ice Hockey World Championship opens in Slovakia in the afternoon. The tournament is likely to be the strongest in several years. Italy doesn't start until Saturday and goes into the race as outsiders. Answers to some questions before the start of the World Cup in Bratislava and Slovakia.

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