2012 IIHF World Championship - Ice Hockey betting

Get ready for some hard-hitting ice hockey action from the world's finest teams, with 888sport at your side!

The IIHF Ice Hockey World Championships ranks as the most anticipated annual winter sports event around the world. Sports aficionados, betting pundits, and ice hockey fans relish the opportunity to watch their countries in action at this riveting series of contests. Punters at 888sport – the premier UK online bookmaker – can place a wide selection of bets on countries in this rollicking ice hockey showdown. The top betting odds are available for outright winner selections, courtesy of 888sport. This is one Ice Hockey showdown you do not want to miss!

History, Predictions and Fixtures in the IIHF Hockey World Championships 2012

Betting enthusiasts tout the Ice Hockey World Championships as the must-watch event of the year. In 2012, a new championship team format was introduced. This year a tally of 16 teams will be competing in 2 preliminary round groups. Each group will contain 8 teams and the IIHF World Ranking will be used for seeding purposes. The leading Internet bookmaker – 888sport – will be providing punters with the action as it happens, when it happens. Betting enthusiasts will be able to enjoy a range of free bets, free betting selections, a history of the teams, and predictions via the favourable betting odds.

This much anticipated international ice hockey contest takes place between 4 May and 20 May. The initial stages of the contest will be played in Helsinki in Finland and in Stockholm in Sweden. The U.K.'s leading online bookmakers, 888sport leading the pack, will be there to provide betting odds for each of the selections. Betting experts at the aforementioned sports book have cited the following odds for final results at this year's contest:

• Russia at betting odds of 5:2
• Canada at betting odds of 11:4
• Sweden at betting odds of 7:2
• Czech Republic at betting odds of 13:2
• USA at betting odds of 20:1
• Slovakia at betting odds of 33:1
• Germany at betting odds of 50:1
• Switzerland at betting odds of 66:1
• Belarus and betting odds of 250:1

All of the listed betting odds above are effective as it the 4 of May 2012 at 10:15 AM. The Top 4 Teams in each of the preliminary round group will move forward to the Quarter-Finals of the IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship contest. Those teams finishing last in each of the groups face relegation to Division One. The competing teams in the contest will travel from country to country in order to play in the quarter-final match. A sum total of 64 teams will be competing in the 2012 IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship. The fixtures are available at 888sport.

About 888sport: Fixtures, Results, History And Standings of The Teams

New players signing up to 888sport will be able to receive a generous £50 in free bets when opening an account with 888sport and placing a wager of at least £10. This leading bookmaker provides punters with Live Betting, a Racing iCard, a Series of Live Events, Bet Slips, Statistics for the Teams, Live Scores and the Latest Series of Hot Promotions. Top predictions for each of the teams are available by way of the betting odds on site.