Man in tears: Pavol Demitra retiring from the NT
 

I know some of this has already been posted in the Slovakia-Denmark GDT, but I doubt way too many people actually read that thread about this useless game. However this game was the last one in Slovak NT jersey for #38 Pavol Demitra and the fans in Bratislava have created a beautiful farewall, which has left us all (including Paľo himself) in tears.



http://i.sme.sk/cdata/1/58/5885961/demi1.jpg

http://hokejportal.sk/files/hp/galle...//IMG_7706.jpg

http://i.sme.sk/cdata/1/58/5885961/dem3.jpg

http://i.sme.sk/cdata/1/58/5885961/demi.jpg

http://i.sme.sk/cdata/1/58/5885961/dem6.jpg

http://i.sme.sk/cdata/1/58/5885961/dem2.jpg

http://i.sme.sk/cdata/1/58/5885961/dem1.jpg

http://i.sme.sk/cdata/1/58/5885961/demi2.jpg



"For me and everybody, it was very emotional," said Demitra of the post-game cheers. "You’re going to remember it the rest of your life."

That's very special. Nice send-off.

Good on PD. :handclap:

Thanks for posting all those vids and pictures, Slovakia is a great hockey nation. It's sad, that team Slovakia's tournament was a bit of a disaster.

Beautiful moment. Thanks for sharing the pictures and videos.

I think it should be also noted that the game against Finland was the last one for Ľubo Višňovský in the NT a she says he has lost his motivation to play for the NT. Kind of symboli since he started his senior NT career back in the 1990s against Finalnd too at that time as an internationally unknown kid playing with Slovan Bratislava. I think we would all agree that Ľubo still has something to give to the NT, but at the same time it´s most memorable when you leave at your highest rather than prolonging it. The one thing I´m really sorry about s that he didn´t play today he didn´t get such a sent off as Demitra did, because a palyer who has played at so many times as Ľubo has- including the disastrous 2008 WC when he was the only top notch player wiling to come or now in 2011 when he played despite his injuries and with the possibility of endangering his season definitely deserved one. This way the only way an of us gets to say thank you is like this-Ľubo Višňovský #17- Thank you!.

And of course the obligatory: Paľo Demitra #38 Thank you!

And of course while we are thanking the players, there is an another group of people that shouldn´t be forgotten, the fans that have created such a fantastic atmosphere in Bratislava and especially those in the arena (but also in Košice and other places), in Michal Handzuš´ words: "But our fans were great. They’re the best fans in the world, and they showed it today."

Thanks for sharing the pics and vids indeed. Very moving moment.

It's truly a shame that it ended so as some of the players and fans deserved more.

It was such a lovely day and now I'm sad.

Good for Pavol and apparently Lubo! Congrats on the great international careers.

Congratulations to both Pavol and Ľubo...stick tap to the fans in Bratislava for being classy, positive, and enthusiastic throughout even though the results did not go well for the Slovak team. If a stranger tuned into this tournament and watched only today's game they would not have known that it did not mean anything, and that's a credit to the fans who supported their team no matter what.

Pavel is a great man a great player. Wish him all the best :handclap:

I teared up today... :cry:


One of the greatest recent moments..

http://i.pravda.sk/10/022/skcl/P4331...6_OLYMH180.jpg


Never considered a superstar, but he was always solid. Farewell Pavol.

Wow amazing! Thank you so much for sharing!

Slovak girls are incredibly hot. Slovakia is an awesome nation and great hockey nation.


The fans gave him a well deserved send off, he had a great career.

It's too bad Slovakia didn't have a better showing at the tournament. That would have been great for the country and their hockey program. Sad to see Demitra go. He's been fun to watch. It was a great ride for him though!

I didn't even realize he was retiring for the Slovakian team until I pulled up the pictures on Yahoo. Tough to watch and even though it didn't turn out better, glad he was able to do it in front of so many of his fans.

I think, that Visnovsky will play on next Olympic in Russia. Many players (Lintner,Strbak ...) said, its over, but it wasn't.

The yuestion is, if Slovakia will qualify to Olympic games 2014 ? :sarcasm:

Great player, great class act. Hail you, Pavol!

Great player, he will be missed.

Great moment.:handclap:

he'll be missed for sure.. many great memories as a Blue.. thx Pavol!

Goodbye and thank you Paľo!

As a player he seemed very moody to me...sometimes invisible and lacking effort or motivation. But when he "showed up" for a game and was in his prime...man what a player!:-) Truly amazing. He deserved such a send off:handclap:

Is he retiring as an active professional player?

No, only from national team. He will continue with Lokomotiv Yaroslavl of the KHL a least one more year (he has a contract until 2011/2012 season)

No. Just in national team.