Alexander Ovechkin and Semyon Varlamov speak about the World Cup

Russian national team players Alexander Ovechkin and Semyom Varlamov shared their impressions from the World Cup of Hockey preparations.

Tomorrow on the 8th of September, Russia will play the Czech Republic in Saint Petersburg in the team's first friendly match before the tournament.

Alexander Ovechkin, Russian national team forward:

- It's an honour for me to be the team's captain for such a big competition. The coach simply came up to me and told me that I am going to be captain. We're looking forward to the game with the Czech Republic as to get some game practice under our belts, and during these friendlies, we will get into playing shape.

Before training, we held a minute's silence. We remember Lokomotiv's team, and we have never forgotten them.

Semyon Varlamov, Russian national team goaltender:

- We're all training with a great mindset. The guys are ready for the World Cup, and we're all healthy. In Saint Petersburg, we have had the opportunity to train on North American sized ice, and I would like to thank the federation for the facilities offered.

It's really good that our first friendly match will take place tomorrow. We're tired of just training, we want to play. I began my tournament preparation in early July, and we can't wait to play a game. We have missed the fans and that match atmosphere.

During these friendlies, the most important thing will be to get into playing shape. For some of us, the season finished in June, whike for others, they stopped playing in April or May. These games will assist us in getting back to optimal shape.

Today is a hard day for the whole of the country and ice hockey world. It's even tougher for Yaroslavl and the families of the victims. We mourn and remember Lokomotiv, and we fully support the families.

Russian Ice Hockey Federation