WorldCupFeature 12.2.22

For the next few weeks sports fans all around the world are tuning in for the 2022 Men's World Cup. Devils players and coaches are no exception.
"I've never really watched soccer before, but I have watched some of the World Cup," Devils head coach Lindy Ruff explained. "Our guys have it on everywhere, they're talking about it, you can't not watch it."
"It's something in our locker room we talk a lot about. It felt like we got our team together more too," Fabian Zetterlund said about the World Cup. "To have it on the TVs and watching a little bit and talk about some games and how crazy games have went so far too."
"Everybody is involved, we did a bracket so I think everyone got a little involved," Tomas Tatar said. "They have good times for us too, after the practices or before the practices we can watch a lot of soccer."

The bracket challenge had each Devils player pick all the way to who they believe will win the tournament. Some players are more confident in their chances than others.
"It's me for sure. I think I have a good chance, but it's tight right now," Zetterlund said on who he thinks will win the bracket challenge.
"I don't think I will (win the bracket) anymore. I feel like I did mine too early," Jesper Boqvist said about his odds to win. "I had Belgium (as winning) and then a couple guys got hurt there. I'm really cheering for Spain. I don't know if anyone has them yet but I'm really cheering for them."
"I think Haula has very good draws, I think he has France," Tatar shared. "I bet on Argentina but I don't know if they look that strong so I think Haula has the best chance from me."
Although everyone is involved and discussing the World Cup, there are some players that are more involved.
"Tatar is up there, Haula is up there, I think Holtz likes it too. The Euros I would say," Boqvist said on the Devils biggest fans.
"Me and (Tatar) are talking a lot about World Cup," Holtz said. "Because both of us are doing Premier League fantasy so we talk a lot about World Cup. The other Swedes are into the World Cup too, Zetterlund and Boqvist. But mostly me and Tatar. Haula is pretty interested too."
Some of the bigger World Cup fans on the Devils disclosed who they were rooting for and what moments they've enjoyed watching at this year's tournament.
"I like to watch Messi so his goal in the second game was a really big goal for the team, so that's (my) biggest moment until now," Holtz said about his favorite part of the World Cup so far. "It's different, it's a different vibe. Unfortunately Sweden is not there this time but it feels like the whole country comes together, supporting your country so it's an amazing tournament."
"I was a big fan of Messi so I really want him to move forward," said Tatar. "France looks very strong to me, Brazil, so there's a lot of good teams who are playing well. I'm amazed by France because they have some key injuries and they look very strong still and Brazil looks dynamite too. So we'll see, there's going to be a lot of good upcoming matches.
"(Kylian) Mbappe, he's always good. Lionel Messi too, has some good skills. Neymar, you've got so many players like (Virgil) van Dijk, the defenseman in the Netherlands is good too. Of course Cristiano Ronaldo in Portugal … a lot of guys, it's a big tournament."
"I really liked the (England vs. Wales) game," Boqvist said. "The (Marcus) Rashford goals, even though I'm a big Liverpool fan and he plays for (Manchester) United, but I really like his game. His free kick, and then obviously Spain's first game, 7-0 against Costa Rica, I really like how they've played so far too."
Until the middle of December, 'two-touch' won't be the only soccer related competition surrounding the Devils, as the team is enjoying this time to watch some of the best soccer players in the world compete.
"All the best players at the same tournament," Boqvist shared. "It's fun to watch for sure."