Liga Pro Team and Cosmos X17 became the first semi-finalists of the Liga Stavok Phygital Hockey
The second round of the group stage of the Liga Stavok Phygital Hockey determined the first participants of the playoffs. The Russian teams Liga Pro Team and Cosmos X17 won the second victory and ensured the continuation of the fight.
Group A
Baltic Select vs. Liga Pro Team – 4:15 (1:6)
The Russian Liga Pro Team was stronger both digitally and physically. On the ice, the opponents acted harshly, which led to a large number of shootouts – nine in total were assigned. The most productive player was Liga Pro hockey player Dmitry Myachev, who scored a hat-trick.
“In this format, I like unpredictability the most. Some are stronger in the simulator, others on the ice – this is doubly interesting, because the result is always unexpected. I myself play hockey professionally, I played for CSKA, but at the digital stage I am not very good at it yet, I will improve on this point. I think our team has a good chance of success, we came for a victory,” said Dmitry Drozhzhin, a player of the Liga Pro Team. “The emotions from today’s match are only positive, we started well, the opponents also played well.”
“We initially had some minor problems with the simulator, but we were trained by the best esports athletes from Europe. As it turned out, this was not enough, there is still a lot of work ahead. All the guys trained in Riga, I was the only one in Kazan. My friends from the Baltic states and I decided to create our own team to participate in Games of the Future, we really want to meet Ak Bars in the final,” Alexander Mubarakshin from Baltic Select shared his plans. “After the match, we try not to worry too much, losses also happen in sports. Games of the Future is a real celebration of sports, it’s nice to feel like a part of such a serious event, to stand at the origins of a new format.”
Quetzales Mexico Na vs. Barys Cyber Team – 12:11 (6:3)
The digital stage ended with the victory of the North American team, and with a difference of three goals, the opponents continued to play on the ice. The Kazakhstanis played the second part of the match stronger. The captain and audience favorite Abil Shyngyskhan shone in the Barys team again – this time he scored three goals. However, his efforts were not enough again to win.
“Both parts were difficult, the opponents fought well, it’s nice to play with them. Now we have to sort out the mistakes, analyze the game in order to win the next match,” summed up the meeting, the player of Barys Cyber Team Yernar Musabayev. “I would like to note that the fans were very supportive of us. I think this is largely due to our emotional captain Abil. He infects not only us with his energy, but also the tribunes. In general, all the people around are very kind and positive. We were received at the highest level in Kazan. Taking part in such an event is an incredible experience!”
“Our team has representatives from North America and Mexico, and I am from Canada. When we found out about Games of the Future, we were very surprised. This has never happened before in the history of world sports! Becoming a part of this event is very responsible and incredibly cool. It turned out to be extremely interesting to combine a hockey simulator and a game on ice. I think the next tournament could be held in Canada. After all, Russia and Canada are a historical confrontation in hockey,” recalled Anthony Therrien Behiri from Quetzales. “Kazan is a wonderful city, we were well received, the organizers have been taking care of us since we landed at the airport, thanks them for that!”
Third round
February 21
9:30 Moscow time
Barys Cyber Team vs. Baltic Select
11:00 Moscow time
Liga Pro Team vs. Quetzales Mexico Na
Group B
Inter vs. Ak Bars – 3:12 (1:5)
The Kazan team confidently dealt with the opponent. On the ice, Ak Bars kept the opponents in suspense all the time and practically did not allow them to threaten their goal. Kazan captain Maxim Pestushko showed an excellent game again, scoring his second hat-trick in the tournament.
“This time we were more effective on the console, and we went out on the ice with confidence in victory. The opponent needed to fight back, but we attacked calmly. There was incredible support from the tribunes. I hope that we will not let down and find ourselves in the final! Our team feels good at both stages. Although I am a former hockey player myself, I have been in this sport all my life, I have to study in a simulator,” Ak Bars player Maxim Khapov commented on the results of the match. “This is the first time I participate in such a tournament, and the emotions are unusual. Now is the time when we are increasingly in contact with the digital world. This is our reality, the interaction of two worlds. Virtual hockey is very similar to real hockey, it’s just easier physically. You need to think with your head more”
“We enjoyed the game, despite the score. We didn’t have enough teamwork – we spent too little time together. There is nothing to blame the guys for, everyone fought, tried both in defense and in attack. Everyone did their best. This is the second time the digital part has failed, we are analyzing, training in new threes. We will try to add more. In general, it is very pleasant to be at such an event. So many neon lights, a real show – all this is very immersive in the game atmosphere. I think that the phygital format will develop even more, because people love fast and dynamic games. The spectators come for emotions, and here they get it,” said Inter hockey player Evgeny Nogachev.
Feniks vs. Cosmos X17 – 3:6 (2:4)
Uzbekistan’s Feniks got a serious opponent in the final match of the day – the champion of the Phygital Games Cosmos X17 showed a high level the day before, beating Ak Bars. Both stages of the meeting were held in a protracted struggle with low performance. In the physical part, two periods passed without goals! But Cosmos X17 was still able to bring the matter to victory.
“The match was great, the second victory, our team has a good start. No wonder it’s called that – just go ahead and into space! In such matches, a lot depends on the digital part. The psychological moment: you will either fight back or attack. Today we did everything according to plan, we realized our chances, we played defense excellently. The victory is well deserved. The opponent was also worthy. We would like to meet with the Liga Pro Team in the final, I think it will be an interesting confrontation,” said Anton Barko, captain of Cosmos X17.
“My emotions are not very pleasant. We went out on the ice with a two–goal difference, which is a good result for us, since Cosmos X17 is a very experienced team, especially in the digital part. Then something went wrong. Overall, we controlled the puck well, but we didn’t take any chances. In some moments, we didn’t fight enough, we needed to be a little more aggressive,” complained Feniks captain Grigory Chigvintsev. “We counted on ice more, we don’t have professional esports players. Now we have a debriefing to do, we will listen to the head coach. We hope to win the next match! Very strong teams have gathered here, of course, we want to reach the final and take the main trophy.”
Third round
February 21
13:00 Moscow time
Cosmos X17 vs. Inter
14:40 Moscow time
Ak Bars vs. Feniks
Information:
Games of the Future is an international multisport tournament in the phygital concept, a sports show of a new format that will combine competitions in physical and digital dimensions. VK Play is the technology partner of Games of the Future. The first “Games of the Future” tournament will be attended by more than 2,000 athletes from 107 different countries in 21 innovative disciplines. The competitions will be divided into 5 categories, or “challenges”: sports, tactical, battle, technical and speedrun. More information about the tournament can be found on the official channels of Games of the Future: