Colin Shields: Team GB Can Create History In Northern Ireland
Last updated 19th Apr 2017
Stena Line Belfast Giants forward Colin Shields says Great Britain have a chance to create some history next week, hosting its first men's World Championship for 25 years.
Belfast's SSE Arena is the venue for the IIHF Division 1 Group B tournament from Sunday 23rd to Saturday 29th April, with GB beginning the six-team tournament against Croatia on Sunday (4pm). They will then face Estonia, Lithuania and Netherlands before going head-to-head with Japan, the highest ranked side, on the last day of the tournament.
"It is going to be a special week that's for sure," said Shields. "Hosting a World Championship is something really exciting. We know there will be pressure on us to perform, but you dream of moments like this as a sportsman."
"The people of Northern Ireland love their sport and I know they will turn up in their numbers - and I have spoken to lots of people flying over. There will be a real buzz around Belfast next week and it is important we feed off that buzz and thrive on it as we push to go one better than previous years."
Tickets for the first ever World Championship to be hosted in Belfast are on sale now an available from ticketmaster.ie online as well as from The SSE Arena Box Office in person or by calling 028 9073 9074.
"We've had a good training camp so far and the two games against Poland gave us some excellent match practice.”