Munich, Germany - Team Germany hopes to build on three straight Quarter Final appearances coming into the 2004 Ice Hockey World Championships in the Czech Republic. But don't expect German head coach Hans Zach to join the hype around NHLers Olaf Kölzig and Jochen Hecht joining the team.

"The 4-0 loss against Team USA in our final exhibition game came at the right time," explained Zach. "Expectations were raised too high. There was too much excitement about having two NHL players (Kölzig and Hecht) on the team. Now everybody knows where we stand." Although Zach is known as a master of understatement, his caution seems justified, as his team will be playing in a tough group with the host Czech Republic, Kazakhstan and Latvia. Germany finished its exhibition slate with a record of 4-3-1. The results: Switzerland (1W/1T, 2-2, 3-2), Slovakia (2L 3,1, 2-1), Austria (3W 3-0, 2-1, 3-2) and USA (1L 4-0).

Check out www.IHWC.net for comprehensive coverage of the 2004 IIHF World Championships.

Here's the link to the Team Germany Preview:
http://live82.ihwc.net/english/article/spotlight/index.ihwc?artId=1622