The popularity in France is growing, says Sascha Treille

08 May 2011 | David Schlegel

France made a good effort in the Preliminary Round when they beat Belarus in overtime. That saved a spot for France also for the next year in the Elite division of the World championship. The forward Sascha Treille had a goal and an assists in the 2-1 victory.

- What does it mean for France to beat Belarus and advance to the Qualifying Round?

- It was a important victory over the team, which is considered to have better players than we have. The victory means advancing to the Qualifying Round which is absolutely great.

- You played a very important role in the deciding game. What do you think about the game?

- I am very satisfied. I think it had been my best game at the World championship ever. I had a lot of ice time, I felt that our coach Henderson has a lot of trust in me. We scored on a power-play using the way we practiced it before the game. My goal is to go in front of the net, take rebounds and not allow the opponent`s goalie to see the puck. And it worked this way. Also Cristobal Huet really helped us a lot, when he made a spectacular save on a breakaway.

- Would you give us comment also on the winning goal?

- We knew that the Belarus defence can make mistakes, when they are under pressure. We went for it, tried to forecheck. Stephan Da Costa and I gained the puck, which Kevin Hecquefeuille put in the net.

- What was the goal of France at the World championship?

- It was absolutely to stay in elite division. We wanted to avoid the Relegation Round if there would be a chance and it is fantastic we made it.

- Does the result from Kosice mean, that French hockey is on the way up?

- Yes, I think it is slowly growing. From our promotion from Divison I in China we have stayed in Elite divison twice and we even advanced to the Qualifying Round.

- Many French players play in the front European clubs. You played for Kladno and now you play for Sparta Prague. Did it help you?

- Absolutely. For me it was very important to start in Kladno. I had a chance to play with Pavel Patera, which was a great honour for me and thanks to him and other players I was able to improve.

- Later you moved to HC Sparta Prague where you played together with your brother Yorick. I suppose you enjoy that?

- We haven`t played much together in Sparta yet, because Yorick had an injury just before I came. That is also the reason why he missed the World championship. Now he is already getting ready for the next season. I believe that the next season will be exceptional for both of us.

- Have you ever played together for one club?

- Never before. We have been playing only for the national team together since 2007. We competed at WC in Canada, Switzerland and Germany.

- What is the situation of ice hockey in France? Is its popularity growing?

- I think it is around the 6th place among all sports. On the top there is soccer, than rugby, basketball, handball and volleyball. However, hockey is growing. If you have good results on international level, than fans are interested, as well as media or sponsors. It is good for the national team and also for the clubs.

- Cristobal Huet won the Stanley cup as the first Frenchmen in history. Was it helpful?

- Absolutely! You could read about it a lot in news, it was a great thing for a popularity of ice hockey in France. Stanley cup was even at the Eiffel Tower in Paris.

- Also forward Stephane Da Costa made it to the NHL this year. He played for Ottawa. What do you think about that?

- I know Stephane since he was a child. He was always very talented and had a very unique techique skills. He feels the game very much and he took the risk and moved overseas to juniors, where he found his way to success. Maybe he showed the way to the others, because we have plenty
of skilled players but nobody knows about them. Nobody gives them an offer, they are no names for scouts in overseas.

- France is playing at the Elite division since 2007. What is the role of your coach Dave Henderson, who was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba?

- Our coach found the style, which is good for us. He changed the system of our game and put a lot of discipline and simplicity in it.

- By the way, the journey of your national team travelled to the World championship was a bit complicated. You took a flight to Cracovia in Poland instead of Kosice. Was it a problem for you?

- Well, no. It is the matter of fact, that the journey was long. We had to travel by bus then, but we accomplished that alright. Now, it is just a funny story which we laugh at.

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