6 january, 2012 18:28  
 
 

Prime Minister Vladimir Putin congratulates the players and coaches of the Russian youth hockey team on winning silver medals in the 2012 World Junior Hockey Championship

 
 
 

The message of greetings reads, in part:

"You have achieved an excellent result at this prestigious tournament. You have demonstrated honest and beautiful play and scored many memorable victories over strong rivals.

It is impossible to predict the outcome of the final match. That is why we love hockey: for its mystery and the fever pitch until the last second of the game. Sport is sport and everything about it is unpredictable.

However, we can state with absolute certainty that the Russian national hockey team has a strong reserve of young players.

I wish you good health and all the best things in life. I am confident that you will pass all trials with flying colours and achieve great success."