Showing Some International Love: Now The Championship Begins

Talk about overworking, still only half-way through the Round 1 recaps, Round 2 begins later tonight, and the World Championship starts tomorrow. So lets get this done before more than 5 people in North America realizes this tournament is going on. This year's tournament is hosted by Slovakia, with the host cities being Bratislava and Košice.

Group A - Host City: Bratislava

World Ranking
1. Russia
8. Slovakia
9. Germany
19. Slovenia

Predictions
1 (Qualifying Round) - Russia
2 (Qualifying Round) - Slovakia
3 (Qualifying Round) - Germany
4 (Relegation Round) - Slovenia

No room for upsets here. Russia is probably cursing Washington for making it to the second round, but will still cruise by this group. Slovakia just got a nice NHL boost. While Germany might put up a fight, they'll be stuck in third. Slovenia is going to hurt with Kopitar not being able to play, leading them to fight through the relegation round.

Group B - Host City: Košice

World Ranking
2. Canada
7. Switzerland
10. Belarus
15. France

Predictions
1 (Qualifying Round) - Canada
2 (Qualifying Round) - Switzerland
3 (Qualifying Round) - Belarus
4 (Relegation Round) - France

Again, no surprises. Canada will finish first in the group. If the rosters were up then I might be higher on Belarus and have Switzerland third, but for now I'm going to go by ranking. If Stephane De Costa takes his NHL experience overseas then France might...oh...wrong experience.

Group C - Host City: Košice

World Ranking
3. Sweden
6. USA
11. Norway
14. Austria
 
Predictions
1 (Qualifying Round) - Sweden
2 (Qualifying Round) - USA
3 (Qualifying Round) - Austria
4 (Relegation Round) - Norway
 
The only roster I seen out of this group was the USA's, and its not looking good, they'll want Ryan Miller over as soon as possible. Sweden will end up in first, USA will finish second. It's crazy to think this, but this year might be the year Austria finishes higher than 13th, at least beating Norway to avoid the relegation round.
 
Group D - Host City: Bratislava
 
World Ranking
4. Czech Republic
5. Finland
12. Latvia
13. Denmark
 
Predictions:
1 (Qualifying Round) - Czech Republic
2 (Qualifying Round) - Finland
3 (Qualifying Round) - Latvia
4 (Relegation Round) - Denmark
 
This group was the toughest to judge. In the end, I think the Czechs will squeeze by Finland for first. On the other end, Latvia and Denmark will fight each other to stay alive. Again, no rosters allow for a wold guess, but Latvia usually has 90% of it's KHL team on it's roster. Judging on that, Latvia is my pick to avoid the relegation round.