“Pavol Demitra’s Legacy: Remembering Slovakia’s Bronze Medal at the 2003 Helsinki World Cup”

In Finland, he wanted to improve his taste at all costs. The new coach of the national team, František Hossa, lured him with a similarly star-studded roster, which was the year before in GöTeborg. In addition, Demitra really wanted to be at the announced farewell of defender Róbert Švehla in Helsinki.

TODAY WE CELEBRATE THE 20TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE TRIUMPH OF SLOVAK HOCKEY PLAYERS OVER THE CZECH REPUBLIC 4:2 IN THE BATTLE FOR BRONZE AT THE 2003 HELSINKI WORLD CUP

However, due to a broken thumb, Demitr’s start initially looked like a dream. His situation improved only after the intervention of general manager Petr Šťastný with the owner of Demitr’s former club St. Louis Blues and a sudden objective improvement in health. At that time, the 31-year-old phenomenal playmaker and finisher flew to Finland with a bandaged thumb in a specially adapted glove at the last minute, but managed to play all the matches.

At the end of the tournament, when Slovakia defeated its rival from the Czech Republic 4:2 for the first time at the highest forum on Saturday, May 10, 2003, a bronze medal was hung around his neck, which he had promised to his then two-month-old son Lucas. On the ice, he contributed to it with the last goal of the match with a delicious bluff between goalkeeper Vokoun’s concrete.

LUCAS DID

Coach František Hossa was aware that defending the title is always more difficult than winning it, so he emphasized to his team to avoid hesitation in the quarter-finals, which the fans would find difficult to forgive. After smooth victories in the basic group with Ukraine 9:3, Japan 10:1 and Germany 3:1, a collectively strong Switzerland awaited us in the quarterfinals. We were losing 0:1, but in the end we broke the opponent 3:1.

“Mentally, it was definitely the most difficult duel in the championship. Not only for the players on the ice, but also for me on the bench,” coach Hossa admitted.

After the only failure at the entire World Cup, in the semi-final with Sweden 1:4, it was time for a “fratricidal” fight for third place with the Czechs, whom we had never defeated at the top event until then. In the prestigious derby, the Slovak team led the whole match and finally won convincingly 4:2. Every player in the Slovak jersey radiated a greater desire for victory.

“I scored one of the most important goals of my career. I’m happy with the goal and the way we beat a tough opponent,” Pavol Demitra was smiling after the match with a bronze medal on his chest.

Photo gallery

Toronto defenseman Róbert Švehla collides with Mario Lemieux from Pittsburgh in the NHL. The native of Martin played eight full seasons overseas and scored 335 points for 68 goals and 267 assists in 655 games.

Source: TASR

IRON MAN ALSO APPRECIATED BRONZE

„We’re playing for Rob,” he showed off a framed inscription on the tactical board from the Slovak players’ cabin before the match, which strengthened their motivation. The bronze medal match was a farewell for the then 34-year-old Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Róbert Švehla. After the referee’s final whistle, the NHL’s iron man grabbed the puck under his jersey to keep it as a souvenir.

“It was an honor to end my career in such a high-quality team. It’s a shame that we didn’t have a better day in the semi-finals, but on the other hand, the win in the last match over the Czech Republic is especially valuable for each of our fans.” mentions Švehla.

Coach František Hossa, who years ago took Švehla from Topoľčian to Dukla Trenčín, was satisfied. “We had the upper hand mentally, we played with ease and were able to assert ourselves in critical moments. It was felt that our opponent was struggling more on the ice.”

The Canadians became world champions after the final triumph over Sweden 3:2 after extra time.

The most productive players at the World Cup were Slovakian forwards Pálffy and Stümpel, both had 15 points each. The best scorer was Stümpel with 11 assists, Ľubomír Višňovský became the most productive defender of the tournament with 12 points.