Hand confident of British success

By Alistair Watkins

Hand's vast experience will be important in Ljubljana

Veteran star Tony Hand believes Great Britain will achieve their goals at the World Championships starting on Sunday.

Britain need to finish in the top five of the six-team Division One Pool B competition in Slovenia to progress to the 2010 Olympic qualifying event.

"We are under no illusions because we're in a very tough pool, but we have a lot of talent and more experience.

"Our first goal is to finish top of our group and second is to get into the Olympic qualifiers," he told the BBC.

"I'm too old to worry about the Olympics but it would be good to get into the qualifying tournament because it would be a great boost for British ice hockey," added the 39-year-old forward.

Hand, who turns 40 in August, was persuaded to come out of international retirement by head coach Paul Thompson.

The Scot will not only offer his vast experience to the youngsters in the squad but also help Thompson as an assistant coach.

And Hand, who is one of only two British players to have been drafted by an NHL team, believes British ice hockey is on the up.

Make no mistake this team isn't going to Slovenia to make the numbers up David Longstaff

"I think the foundations built up by the Elite League and having the right amount of imports in the league is now paying off," said the Manchester Phoenix player-coach.

"The number of imports in the game was ridiculously high. It was 16 but we are down to 10 now which gives the fans high-quality players to watch and the British players the chance to develop."

Britain, the lowest ranked team playing in Slovenia, will face Japan on Sunday and Lithuania on Monday before taking on hosts Slovenia, Hungary and Romania.

And Hand, who will be playing in his 10th World Championships, said Britain would need to be on their guard.

"Japan aren't a big side but they are really skillful and quick," he explained. "If we can get a good start that will increase the confidence."

Longstaff believes Britain are good enough to win a medal

Another experienced international returning to the team is David Longstaff.

The 32-year-old Newcastle Viper has come back after a self-imposed two-year break.

"The programme lost its way for a while and now it's back better organised, more professional and without doubt better prepared than any international trip I have been on before," he said.

Longstaff says that head coach Thompson is the reason for his increased optimism.

"He has us all excited, all believing that we can win a medal in Slovenia.

"From the moment he was named as coach I wanted to play again. He makes you want to play for him, like you would be letting him down if you didn't.

"Make no mistake this team isn't going to Slovenia to make the numbers up.

"We have our goals - making the world's top 30 is the number priority to ensure we make the Olympic qualification events next February.

"I don't see why we should stop there though, there isn't any reason why this team can't go on and win a medal."