1981 Ice Hockey World Championships

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1981 Ice Hockey World Championships
Tournament details
Host countryFlag of Sweden.svg  Sweden
Venue(s)1 (in 2 host cities)
Dates12–26 April 1981
Teams8
Final positions
Champions Gold medal blank.svgFlag of the Soviet Union.svg  Soviet Union (17th title)
Runners-up Silver medal blank.svgFlag of Sweden.svg  Sweden
Third place Bronze medal blank.svgFlag of the Czech Republic.svg  Czechoslovakia
Fourth placeFlag of Canada (Pantone).svg  Canada
Tournament statistics
Games played32
Goals scored288 (9 per game)
Attendance171,675 (5,365 per game)
Scoring leader(s) Flag of Germany.svg Holger Meitinger 20 points
  1979
1982  

The 1981 Ice Hockey World Championships took place in Sweden between 12 and 26 April 1981, with games being played in the arenas of Scandinavium in Gothenburg and Johanneshovs isstadion in Stockholm. Eight teams took part, first splitting into two groups of four, with the best two from each group advancing to the final group. These teams then play each other in the final round. This was the 47th World Championships, and also the 58th European Championships. The Soviet Union became World Champions for the 17th time, and also won their 20th European title. Don Cherry commented, "This is the best Russian team I've ever seen." [1]

Contents

The Dutch team had won Group C and Group B in successive years to play in this tournament, but did not fare well. Their best game was a narrow one goal loss to the Americans, a goal scored on a penalty shot by Dave Christian with eleven seconds left. [1] It was their first appearance at the top level since 1950 and they have not returned since. [2]

World Championship Group A (Sweden)

First round

Group 1

PosTeamPldWDLGFGAGDPts
1Flag of the Soviet Union.svg  Soviet Union 3300254+216
2Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg  Canada 32011412+24
3Flag of Finland.svg  Finland 31021614+22
4Flag of the Netherlands.svg  Netherlands 3003530250
Source: [ citation needed ]
12 April Canada  Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg4–3Flag of Finland.svg  Finland
12 April Soviet Union  Flag of the Soviet Union.svg10–1Flag of the Netherlands.svg  Netherlands
13 April Canada  Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg8–1Flag of the Netherlands.svg  Netherlands
13 April Soviet Union  Flag of the Soviet Union.svg7–1Flag of Finland.svg  Finland
15 April Soviet Union  Flag of the Soviet Union.svg8–2Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg  Canada
15 April Finland  Flag of Finland.svg12–3Flag of the Netherlands.svg  Netherlands

Group 2

PosTeamPldWDLGFGAGDPts
1Flag of the Czech Republic.svg  Czechoslovakia 3210207+135
2Flag of Sweden.svg  Sweden 3210117+45
3Flag of the United States.svg  United States 3102142172
4Flag of Germany.svg  West Germany 30031020100
Source: [ citation needed ]
12 April Czechoslovakia  Flag of the Czech Republic.svg11–2Flag of the United States.svg  United States
12 April Sweden  Flag of Sweden.svg4–2Flag of Germany.svg  West Germany
14 April Sweden  Flag of Sweden.svg4–2Flag of the United States.svg  United States
14 April Czechoslovakia  Flag of the Czech Republic.svg6–2Flag of Germany.svg  West Germany
15 April Czechoslovakia  Flag of the Czech Republic.svg3–3Flag of Sweden.svg  Sweden
15 April United States  Flag of the United States.svg10–6Flag of Germany.svg  West Germany

Final round

PosTeamPldWDLGFGAGDPts
1Flag of the Soviet Union.svg  Soviet Union 64203812+2610
2Flag of Sweden.svg  Sweden 63121626107
3Flag of the Czech Republic.svg  Czechoslovakia 6222202226
4Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg  Canada 60151630141
Source: [ citation needed ]
18 April Czechoslovakia  Flag of the Czech Republic.svg7–4Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg  Canada
18 April Soviet Union  Flag of the Soviet Union.svg4–1Flag of Sweden.svg  Sweden
20 April Sweden  Flag of Sweden.svg3–1Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg  Canada
20 April Soviet Union  Flag of the Soviet Union.svg8–3Flag of the Czech Republic.svg  Czechoslovakia
22 April Canada  Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg4–4Flag of the Soviet Union.svg  Soviet Union
22 April Sweden  Flag of Sweden.svg4–2Flag of the Czech Republic.svg  Czechoslovakia
24 April Czechoslovakia  Flag of the Czech Republic.svg4–2Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg  Canada
24 April Soviet Union  Flag of the Soviet Union.svg13–1Flag of Sweden.svg  Sweden
26 April Sweden  Flag of Sweden.svg4–3Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg  Canada
26 April Soviet Union  Flag of the Soviet Union.svg1–1Flag of the Czech Republic.svg  Czechoslovakia

Consolation round

PosTeamPldWDLGFGAGDPts
5Flag of the United States.svg  United States 64113528+79
6Flag of Finland.svg  Finland 63213321+128
7Flag of Germany.svg  West Germany 63124030+107
8Flag of the Netherlands.svg  Netherlands 60062251290
Source: [ citation needed ]

Note: one game from previous round carried forward
The Netherlands were relegated to Group B.

17 April United States  Flag of the United States.svg7–6Flag of the Netherlands.svg  Netherlands
17 April Finland  Flag of Finland.svg6–3Flag of Germany.svg  West Germany
19 April West Germany  Flag of Germany.svg9–2Flag of the Netherlands.svg  Netherlands
19 April United States  Flag of the United States.svg6–4Flag of Finland.svg  Finland
21 April West Germany  Flag of Germany.svg6–2Flag of the United States.svg  United States
21 April Finland  Flag of Finland.svg4–2Flag of the Netherlands.svg  Netherlands
23 April United States  Flag of the United States.svg7–3Flag of the Netherlands.svg  Netherlands
23 April West Germany  Flag of Germany.svg4–4Flag of Finland.svg  Finland
25 April West Germany  Flag of Germany.svg12–6Flag of the Netherlands.svg  Netherlands
25 April Finland  Flag of Finland.svg3–3Flag of the United States.svg  United States

World Championship Group B (Italy)

Played in Urtijëi 20–29 March. The hosts went undefeated to win, led by former Pittsburgh Penguin and Edmonton Oiler Wayne Bianchin and backstopped by former Oiler Jim Corsi.

PosTeamPldWDLGFGAGDPts
9Flag of Italy.svg  Italy 76103818+2013
10Flag of Poland.svg  Poland 75114925+2411
11Flag of Switzerland (Pantone).svg   Switzerland 74212820+810
12Flag of East Germany.svg  East Germany 74123725+129
13Flag of Romania (1965-1989).svg  Romania 7205253054
14Flag of Norway.svg  Norway 72052139184
15Flag of Yugoslavia (1946-1992).svg  Yugoslavia 71152344213
16Flag of Japan.svg  Japan 71061838202
Source: [ citation needed ]

Italy was promoted to Group A, both Yugoslavia and Japan were relegated to Group C.

20 March East Germany  Flag of East Germany.svg4–3Flag of Japan.svg  Japan
20 March Romania  Flag of Romania (1965-1989).svg5–6Flag of Poland.svg  Poland
20 March Switzerland  Flag of Switzerland (Pantone).svg5–2Flag of Norway.svg  Norway
20 March Italy  Flag of Italy.svg6–4Flag of Yugoslavia (1946-1992).svg  Yugoslavia
21 March Switzerland  Flag of Switzerland (Pantone).svg3–3Flag of Poland.svg  Poland
21 March Japan  Flag of Japan.svg0–2Flag of Norway.svg  Norway
21 March East Germany  Flag of East Germany.svg11–3Flag of Yugoslavia (1946-1992).svg  Yugoslavia
21 March Italy  Flag of Italy.svg3–2Flag of Romania (1965-1989).svg  Romania
23 March Romania  Flag of Romania (1965-1989).svg1–6Flag of East Germany.svg  East Germany
23 March Poland  Flag of Poland.svg13–4Flag of Norway.svg  Norway
23 March Japan  Flag of Japan.svg7–3Flag of Yugoslavia (1946-1992).svg  Yugoslavia
23 March Italy  Flag of Italy.svg4–2Flag of Switzerland (Pantone).svg   Switzerland
24 March Japan  Flag of Japan.svg2–11Flag of Poland.svg  Poland
24 March Yugoslavia  Flag of Yugoslavia (1946-1992).svg3–2Flag of Romania (1965-1989).svg  Romania
24 March Italy  Flag of Italy.svg6–1Flag of Norway.svg  Norway
24 March Switzerland  Flag of Switzerland (Pantone).svg2–1Flag of East Germany.svg  East Germany
26 March Yugoslavia  Flag of Yugoslavia (1946-1992).svg4–4Flag of Switzerland (Pantone).svg   Switzerland
26 March Romania  Flag of Romania (1965-1989).svg5–1Flag of Japan.svg  Japan
26 March East Germany  Flag of East Germany.svg6–3Flag of Norway.svg  Norway
26 March Italy  Flag of Italy.svg4–1Flag of Poland.svg  Poland
28 March Norway  Flag of Norway.svg6–2Flag of Yugoslavia (1946-1992).svg  Yugoslavia
28 March Switzerland  Flag of Switzerland (Pantone).svg8–3Flag of Romania (1965-1989).svg  Romania
28 March East Germany  Flag of East Germany.svg3–7Flag of Poland.svg  Poland
28 March Italy  Flag of Italy.svg9–2Flag of Japan.svg  Japan
29 March Yugoslavia  Flag of Yugoslavia (1946-1992).svg4–8Flag of Poland.svg  Poland
29 March Norway  Flag of Norway.svg3–7Flag of Romania (1965-1989).svg  Romania
29 March Switzerland  Flag of Switzerland (Pantone).svg4–3Flag of Japan.svg  Japan
29 March Italy  Flag of Italy.svg6–6Flag of East Germany.svg  East Germany

World Championship Group C (China PR)

Played in Beijing 6–15 March.

PosTeamPldWDLGFGAGDPts
17Flag of Austria.svg  Austria 7700435+3814
18Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg  China 76014614+3212
19Flag of Hungary.svg  Hungary 74123822+169
20Flag of Denmark.svg  Denmark 73133627+97
21Flag of France.svg  France 73044836+126
22Flag of Bulgaria (1971-1990).svg  Bulgaria 73042232106
23Flag of North Korea.svg  North Korea 71061866482
24Flag of the United Kingdom.svg  Great Britain 70071160490
Source: [ citation needed ]

Both Austria and China were promoted to Group B.

6 March Austria  Flag of Austria.svg10–0Flag of North Korea.svg  North Korea
6 March Hungary  Flag of Hungary.svg8–0Flag of the United Kingdom.svg  Great Britain
6 March France  Flag of France.svg7–0Flag of Bulgaria (1971-1990).svg  Bulgaria
6 March China  Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg5–1Flag of Denmark.svg  Denmark
7 March Great Britain  Flag of the United Kingdom.svg2–11Flag of France.svg  France
7 March China  Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg6–2Flag of Bulgaria (1971-1990).svg  Bulgaria
7 March North Korea  Flag of North Korea.svg5–9Flag of Denmark.svg  Denmark
7 March Austria  Flag of Austria.svg7–0Flag of Hungary.svg  Hungary
9 March Hungary  Flag of Hungary.svg10–3Flag of North Korea.svg  North Korea
9 March Denmark  Flag of Denmark.svg4–6Flag of Bulgaria (1971-1990).svg  Bulgaria
9 March France  Flag of France.svg1–7Flag of Austria.svg  Austria
9 March China  Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg12–2Flag of the United Kingdom.svg  Great Britain
10 March Hungary  Flag of Hungary.svg11–6Flag of France.svg  France
10 March North Korea  Flag of North Korea.svg2–9Flag of Bulgaria (1971-1990).svg  Bulgaria
10 March Great Britain  Flag of the United Kingdom.svg2–13Flag of Denmark.svg  Denmark
10 March China  Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg0–3Flag of Austria.svg  Austria
12 March Bulgaria  Flag of Bulgaria (1971-1990).svg4–2Flag of the United Kingdom.svg  Great Britain
12 March France  Flag of France.svg17–1Flag of North Korea.svg  North Korea
12 March Austria  Flag of Austria.svg4–2Flag of Denmark.svg  Denmark
12 March China  Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg3–1Flag of Hungary.svg  Hungary
13 March China  Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg10–3Flag of France.svg  France
13 March Great Britain  Flag of the United Kingdom.svg1–5Flag of North Korea.svg  North Korea
13 March Hungary  Flag of Hungary.svg2–2Flag of Denmark.svg  Denmark
13 March Austria  Flag of Austria.svg5–0Flag of Bulgaria (1971-1990).svg  Bulgaria
15 March Austria  Flag of Austria.svg7–2Flag of the United Kingdom.svg  Great Britain
15 March Bulgaria  Flag of Bulgaria (1971-1990).svg1–6Flag of Hungary.svg  Hungary
15 March France  Flag of France.svg3–5Flag of Denmark.svg  Denmark
15 March China  Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg10–2Flag of North Korea.svg  North Korea

Ranking and statistics


 1981 IIHF World Championship winners 
Flag of the Soviet Union.svg
Soviet Union
17th title

Tournament Awards

Final standings

The final standings of the tournament according to IIHF:

Gold medal icon.svgFlag of the Soviet Union.svg  Soviet Union
Silver medal icon.svgFlag of Sweden.svg  Sweden
Bronze medal icon.svgFlag of the Czech Republic.svg  Czechoslovakia
4Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg  Canada
5Flag of the United States.svg  United States
6Flag of Finland.svg  Finland
7Flag of Germany.svg  West Germany
8Flag of the Netherlands.svg  Netherlands

European championships final standings

The final standings of the European championships according to IIHF:

Gold medal icon.svg Flag of the Soviet Union.svg  Soviet Union
Silver medal icon.svg Flag of Sweden.svg  Sweden
Bronze medal icon.svg Flag of the Czech Republic.svg  Czechoslovakia
4Flag of Finland.svg  Finland
5Flag of Germany.svg  West Germany
6Flag of the Netherlands.svg  Netherlands

Fanfare of the Championships

The fanfare for the Championships was written by Benny Andersson (from ABBA) in 1981. It was later used as the jingle/opening theme for the television special Dick Cavett Meets ABBA aired later in 1981. Reference - Palm, Carl Magnus: ABBA - The Complete Recordings Sessions, page 106. Verulam Publishing Ltd (13 October 1994). ISBN   0-907938-10-8. ISBN   978-0-907938-10-1.

Citations

  1. 1 2 Summary
  2. Ponieks page 95

References