Competition tight for GB places: Sheffield Steelers skipper

Sheffield Steelers' forward Jonathan Phillips says competition for places was as fierce as ever as Great Britain's 28-man squad reported for training camp yesterday.
Jonathan Phillips - there will be some fall-guys in the final GB squad.Jonathan Phillips - there will be some fall-guys in the final GB squad.
Jonathan Phillips - there will be some fall-guys in the final GB squad.

GB are based at Coventry’s Skydome for the next few days and will play two matches against Poland this weekend as part of their preparations for the World Championship in Zagreb.

The two sides go head-to-head at the National Ice Centre in Nottingham on Saturday (7:30pm), before meeting again in the Skydome at 5:15pm on Sunday.

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Phillips said: “I know everyone was looking forward to training camp and it will be a real battle to make it into the final 23.

“Some GB regulars were left out of this squad of 28, so that shows that the competition is tough to make it into the final party.

“We have a deep pool of players and there will be some disappointed players when the final 23 is announced.

“I think that will make training camp competitive and it will be great preparation to get us ready for Zagreb.

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“The two Poland games will be fantastic encounters I am sure, if last year is anything to go by.

“Hopefully the fans will come out and support us in their numbers at the weekend.”

GB, who won the silver medal at last year’s tournament in Netherlands, will take part in Division 1B of the World Championship from April 17th to 23rd.

As well as facing hosts Croatia, they will also come up against Estonia, Lithuania, Romania and Ukraine.