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TORONTO -- The image of Team Europe, a roster of players from eight different countries with an average age of 30, jumping up and down on their skates in unison was a pretty cool moment for the World Cup of Hockey.The sea of white, blue and teal jerseys celebrating with a group hug in the corner of Air Canada Centre wasnt what anyone expected for this best-on-best tournament, but Team Europe accomplished its goal of coming together as a team and defeated Team Sweden 3-2 in overtime in the semifinals on Sunday.Most picked Sweden and Team Canada to be in the finals. Team USA was also thought of as a true contender. Finland always finds a way to finish strong in these tournaments. Once many witnessed the speed and talent of Team North America -- and how they handled Europe in pretournament play -- the idea that Team Europe could even compete at this level was questioned.Now, this roster of players from Germany, Switzerland, Slovakia, France, Denmark, Norway, Slovenia and Austria will face Team Canada in the best-of-three championship starting Tuesday (8 p.m. ET, ESPN).I dont think anyone wanted us here in this tournament, and now were in the finals, said Team Europe forward Mats Zuccarello. Thats something were really proud of, and its fun to be here, fun to be playing with these guys and having a chance to go this far in a tournament like this.Talk to any player from Europe and theyre quick to credit pride as the reason for the teams success. The idea that building a roster of completely different players seemed ridiculous. No doubt Europe entered this tournament as the laughingstock. It leaned on its motivation, experience and pride to find a cohesiveness and surprised the entire hockey world.Because we have no past and because we have no future, we are really capable of being in the now, said Team Europe coach Ralph Krueger.When the NHL and the NHLPA decided to bring back the World Cup of Hockey, there were many unknowns. The sides reached out to Boston Bruins captain Zdeno Chara, a native of Slovakia, for his opinion. Chara, who speaks eight different languages, was a key architect of Team Europe. After Krueger was named head coach, he met Chara in New York last fall to discuss the strategy. It was during that conversation when Team Europes philosophy was born.Come together as a team, that was our No. 1 priority, Chara said. We talked about a lot of things, but nothing can be accomplished, nothing can be done, if you dont come together as a team and play as one -- and obviously create some great memories. Its not going to happen if youre not going to have everyone on the same page and playing as a team. The No. 1 priority was to bond as a team and become one. Nobody showed any egos, and we worked really hard.Krueger has been phenomenal for this group and fantastic for this tournament. The players bought into his system and ideas. Its been that way since day one. Its still unbelievable to think Team Europe has reached the finals of the World Cup of Hockey. Most thought Team North America, a roster of players 23-and-under, would be the Cinderella story in this tournament.We really cant control whats been said before the tournament or what was said during the tournament or whats going to be said probably now, Chara said. All we can control is being in the moment and inside our locker room. Its obviously something that not many people predicted. But at the same time, we came to the tournament with the approach of taking one game at a time and do our best and being really humbled but at the same time confident in our group and players we have inside that room. We just work really hard and came together as a team.Team Europe struck some as a gimmick. It will probably never exist again after this week. However, it does serve a purpose for Krueger & Co. The team set many goals as it prepared for this tournament, but its desire to inspire young children to learn to play the game at the grassroots level is extremely important to Krueger and the players from the eight different nations.I came in here saying that we hoped that a few young children back in those countries get inspired by what we do and become great NHL players in 10 years or 12 years, Krueger said. And if that happens when Im old and retired, I hope that it was a part of this tournament that did that.?Team Europe beat Sweden. Yes, its true. Sweden, a contender in every international tournament lost to a team that did not exist until 13 months ago. To think that Europe can now beat Team Canada also seems like a stretch. But for Europe, pride and confidence is key.Anything you want to get done, anything you want to accomplish, you have to believe, Chara said. If youre not going to believe in what you can do or you can accomplish something and set yourself goals, then you might as well pack it in. The moment you start questioning yourself, thats a moment too late. You have to believe, you have to set yourself new goals all the time and push yourself always forward.Darius Slayton Jersey . Following a lopsided 5-2 loss against the New Jersey Devils on Wednesday night, Paul MacLean told reporters that "theres a lack of focus, theres a lack of leadership and theres a lack of preparation" with his struggling team. 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Evan Engram Giants Jersey . -- The Bishops Gaiters are showing they belong among the countrys top varsity football teams.Ireland has formally launched its bid to host the 2023 Rugby World Cup.The announcement of Irelands entry into the candidate phase of the selection process to determine the host for the tournament was made at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin, with France and South Africa also in the running to follow on from 2019 hosts, Japan.The bid has the backing of both Irish governments, through the provision of financial, infrastructural and services supports. There are 12 potential venues on Irelands long list after the GAA made eight grounds available, although only between eight and 10 stadia will be required to stage the tournament.Croke Park, Nowlan Park, Pairc Ui Chaoimh, Fitzgerald Stadium, Pearse Stadium, McHale Park, Casement Park and Celtic Park are all possible venues along with Thomond Park, the RDS, Kingspan Stadium and the Aviva Stadium. Ireland vs New Zealand November 19, 2016, 5:00pm Live on Get Sky Sports Get a Sky Sports pass It is projected that the tournament would be worth more than €800m to the Irish economy, with more than 445,000 people expected to visit the country.The selection process will run until November 2017 when World Rugby will decide on the successful candidate after a period of detailed technical evaluation of the candidates, with final proposals being submitted in June and a presentation to World Rugby scheduled for October. Six months half price Upgrade to Sky Sports now to watch Man U v Arsenal on Saturdday and get the first 6 months half price Dick Spring, the bids oversight board chairman, says Ireland is ready to stage a World Cup like no other.dddddddddddd.He said: This is a wonderful opportunity for Ireland to host one of the worlds biggest sporting events and we intend to ensure Irelands proposition will be world class and compelling.A tournament that will capture the imagination of the world. A festival of rugby that will be full of Irish peoples unique spirit and an event that will help rugby to reach new audiences throughout the world.Our entire bid team has been inspired to even greater heights by the Irish teams heroic victories in recent weeks over the All Blacks and Canada. We need this inspiration, for while the prize is indeed great, the competition is fierce and we will need to draw on every creative and determined fibre of our collective being if we are to succeed. There are 12 potential venues on Irelands long list after the GAA made eight grounds available Enda Kenny said: For many years our sporting ambassadors have travelled the world bringing colour, passion and friendship to sporting events everywhere. Now we want to bring the world to Ireland.We want the world to experience this colour, this passion, this friendship - here at home, with us. Ireland is waiting with open arms to welcome rugby fans from all over the world, to make Rugby World Cup 2023 the event of a lifetime, to deliver lifelong memories on and off the pitch.Ireland is ready for the world.Upgrade to Sky Sports now to watch Man Utd v Arsenal this Saturday and get the first six months half price!Also See:Toner: All Blacks are rattledPayne: Henshaw has star qualityIreland can match anyoneStuart Barnes talking points ' ' '