The Ukrainian hockey team sensationally won bronze at the Universiade.

The Ukrainian hockey team today, January 22, won bronze at the Universiade.

In the match for third place, our team sensationally defeated the USA team – 5:3. It is worth noting that in the group stage match, the Americans beat Ukraine with a score of 5:1.

Universiade. Game for 3rd place

Ukraine – USA 5:3 (2:1,2:1,1:1)

Ukraine – USA 5:3 (2:1, 2:1, 1:1)

Goals: 01:30 Portnoi (Kobilnik, Varava) – 1:0, 02:36 Debrito (Thomas) – 1:1, 09:08 Kruglyakov (Tselogorodtsev, Krivoshapkin) – 2:1, 24:57 Tselogorodtsev (Krivoshapkin) – 3:1, 33:34 Balger (Daievskyi, Kadolf – power play) – 3:2, 39:00 Kruglyakov (Grebenik, Krivoshapkin – power play) – 4:2, 42:10 Krivonozhkin (Kobilnik, Kryklia) - 5:2, 44:22 Smith (Balger – power play) – 5:3

It should be noted that Russian slalom skier Alsu Minazova, who participated in propaganda events with Sergei Lavrov, received a 'neutral status' from the International Canoe Federation. This was reported by Base of Ukrainian sports.

It is noted that Minazova also participated in propaganda events with the head of the Republic of Bashkortostan of the Russian Federation, Radiy Khabirov.

Minazova also congratulated Khabirov on his birthday on social media.

“Lavrov was sanctioned by Australia, Switzerland, New Zealand, Canada, the EU, Ukraine, the USA, Japan, and the UK for supporting the war against Ukraine. Khabirov was sanctioned by Australia, New Zealand, Canada, the EU, Ukraine, the USA, and the UK for supporting Russian aggression against Ukraine,” the investigation by Base of Ukrainian sports states.

Minazova also liked a post on Instagram featuring Putin.

It should be noted that the president of the International Ski Federation (FIS), Johan Eliasch, supported the format for the return of Russian and Belarusian athletes to competitions under a 'neutral' status. He stated this in an interview on Radiosporten.

After the full-scale invasion of Russia into Ukraine, Russians and Belarusians were suspended from all competitions under the auspices of FIS – including cross-country skiing, snowboarding, ski jumping, and other disciplines. Since then, FIS initiated a review of the admission of athletes from these countries, but kept the sanctions in place, including for the 2024/25 season.

In an interview, Eliasch stated that he supports the return of Russian and Belarusian athletes to competitions similar to the 2024 Olympics – the International Olympic Committee (IOC) allowed Russians and Belarusians to participate in the Games under a 'neutral' status.

“It turned out very well for Belarusian and Russian athletes. In these matters, it is important to have neutrality. Athletes are not responsible for where they were born and should not be limited,” the president said.

Eliasch's statement came against the backdrop of the election campaign – he is a candidate for the position of president of the IOC. In August 2024, the current head of the organization, Thomas Bach, stated that he would not seek re-election after completing his second term, which expires in 2025.

The suspension of Russians and Belarusians remains in effect until the end of the 2024/25 season. Currently, the qualification cycle for the 2026 Winter Games is ongoing in FIS disciplines, thus suspended athletes are missing the first official year in which athletes vie for licenses for Milan and Cortina d'Ampezzo.

By the way, World Aquatics (International Swimming Federation) allowed Russian swimmer Yevgeniya Chikunova, who supported dictator Vladimir Putin and the war against Ukraine on social media, to compete. This was reported by propaganda Russian media. It is worth noting that Chikunova liked three posts on Instagram supporting the war and Putin from another swimmer and supporter of the war, Yevgeny Rilov.

Also, Olympic taekwondo champion Maxim Kramtsov, who is an open supporter of Russian dictator Vladimir Putin, held a tournament to which the occupiers brought Ukrainian children from the occupied part of Donetsk region. This was reported by Watchers.