Metalurg Magnitogorsk - Lokomotiv Yaroslavl

Division IIIA Turkey. In this division, there are three teams at a higher level and three at a lower level. Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan, and Turkey should share the top three spots, while the other three will fight to avoid relegation. The Turks dropped down from a higher division, so their goal is to return. Turkmenistan consistently plays in this division, but they have been unable to move up and usually finish between second and fourth place. This year should be similar. However, the handicap seems too big, even though the Turks are favorites. I doubt they are strong enough to completely defeat Turkmenistan. In the last five years, at the World Championships, Turkmenistan has only lost twice by a margin greater than three goals.