The Samsung Indoor World Cup will start in Vienna, Austria on Wednesday. The 12 best men's and women's teams of the world will fight for the ultimate crown, the World Title, for the second time in the history of hockey. The major question will be who can prevent the German teams to take the World Title again, as Germany won both the men's and women's 2003 World Indoor Cup in Leipzig, Germany.
The famous sports arena the ÔÇÿWiener Stadthalle' will be the center of the world of hockey from 14 until 18 February 2007. During five days, 38 men's and 38 women's matches will be played on two pitches.
In the men's Samsung Indoor World Cup, defending champion Germany will open the event on Wednesday 14 February at 9:00 against Trinidad & Tobago. Later in the preliminary pool phase, the German team will meet Australia, Czech Republic, Russia and Switzerland. In Pool B, host Austria, Canada, Italy, Poland, South Africa and Spain will fight for the semifinal spots. The numbers one and two of each group will proceed to the Final Four of the Samsung Indoor World Cup.
In the women's Samsung Indoor World Cup, 2003 World Champion Germany will start its campaign defending the World Title on Wednesday 14 February at 11:10 with a match against Australia. Other German opponents in the preliminary round are Czech Republic, Italy, outsider Scotland and Ukraine. In Pool B, Netherlands is the favorite. The Dutch team will meet host Austria, Belarus, Canada, South Africa and Spain in the preliminary pool phase.
The matches in the preliminary pool phase are scheduled for Wednesday 14, Thursday 15 and Friday 16 February. The semifinals will take place on Saturday 17 February. The final of the women's Samsung Indoor World Cup will be played on Sunday 18 February at 14:20. The men's final is scheduled on the same day at 15:40 directly following the women's final.
Please click here for the complete match schedule.
