Torino 2013: Germany preview

Germany’s able-bodied ice hockey team have failed to qualify for the Olympics for the first time in decades, and thus their sledge hockey squad are receiving an increased amount of media and fan attention leading up to the tournament in Torino.

The top three finishers from the IPC Ice Sledge Hockey Qualification Tournament will qualify for the Sochi 2014 Paralympic Winter Games.

Here's a brief overview of Germany's ice sledge hockey team as they head to Torino, where they will challenge Italy, South Korea, Sweden, Japan and Great Britain for one of the Paralympic spots.

Outlook

Germany’s ice sledge hockey team have been on the up all year long following their second season under head coach Andreas Pokorny, a former able-bodied ice hockey player in the top German league.

The momentum is in the team’s corner after winning gold at the IPC Ice Sledge Hockey World Championships B-Pool in March, so they expect them to play to the level of the three teams coming down from the A-Pool – Italy, South Korea and Sweden.

Star forward Frank Rennhack was just 16 years old the last time the German team competed at the Paralympics in Torino in 2006. Now team captain, Rennhack, along with veterans Bas Disveld and Udo Segreff hope to use their experience bring the team back to the big stage after missing out on Vancouver 2010.

Germany’s able-bodied ice hockey team have failed to qualify for the Olympics for the first time in decades, and thus their sledge hockey squad are receiving an increased amount of media and fan attention leading up to the tournament in Torino.

If they qualify for Sochi 2014 – which many are predicting they will – then only expect the awareness of sledge hockey in Germany to rise further over the next few months.

Key players

Frank Rennhack (forward); Bas Disveld (forward); Udo Segreff (forward)

Head coach

Andreas Pokorny

Last Paralympic appearance

Torino 2006 – Fourth place