Press releases

MINSK, 5 January (BelTA) – The teams of Belarus and Russia are leading in the preliminary round in Groups A and B at the 11^th Christmas Amateur Ice Hockey Tournament of for the Prize of the President of Belarus after securing victories on the first day of the tournament on 4 January, BelTA has learned.

In Group A (Minsk Palace of Sports) Belarus defeated Slovakia 5:1. The team of the United Arab Emirates and Switzerland draw a tie 6:6.

Standings in Group A:

1. Belarus - 2 points (1 match; goal differential 5-1),

2. U.A.E. - 1 (1; 6-6),

3. Switzerland - 1 (1; 6-6)

4. Slovakia - 0 (1; 1-5).

In Group B (Chizhovka Arena) the first round brought the following results: Germany-Latvia 5:5, Russia-Finland 5:4.

Standings in the subgroup:

1. Russia - 2 (1; 5-4);

2. Germany - 1 (1; 5-5);

3. Latvia - 1 (1; 5-5);

4. Finland - 0 (1; 4-5).

The 5 January schedule:

Group A (Minsk Palace of Sports): Slovakia v Switzerland (14.00), Belarus v U.A.E. (19.00);

Group B (Chizhovka Arena): Finland v Latvia (16.00), Russia v Germany (19.00).

In the preliminary round, the teams are pitted into two groups. The two second-placed teams will play in the bronze-medal match. The first-placed teams will advance to the gold-medal game.

The team of the President of Belarus is the eight-time winner of the Christmas international tournament (2005, 2006, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2012, 2013 and 2014). Team Russia is a two-time champion (2007 and 2011).

The organizers of the event are the Ministry of Sport and Tourism of the Belarusian Ice Hockey Federation (BIHF), the Minsk City Hall and the President's Sports Club. The partners of the tournament include the Velcom and Chistyi Bereg companies, Belarusian Potash Company, Belneftekhim and Belarusbank. The Belarusian TV and Radio Company is the information partner.