Clan man Robert Farmer makes GB squad for Latvia

Jan 31 2013 by Paul Behan, Paisley Daily Express

Braehead Clan ace Robert Farmer has been selected for Great Britain’s 22-man squad to compete in the Olympic final qualifiers in Riga, Latvia, next month.

And Clan defenceman Kevin Phillips has been placed on the reserves list for Latvia.

Left-winger Farmer and defender Phillips were both in Manchester last week for a two-day squad training camp before head coach Tony Hand made his final squad selection.

GB, who won the gold medal in the 1936 Winter Olympics in Germany, travel to Latvia for a four-team tournament (Group E) from Thursday, February 7, to Sunday, February 10.

Hand’s side – who are ranked 21st in the world – will face the hosts Latvia, 14th-seeds France, followed by Kazakhstan.

The winner of the tournament will progress through to the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia.

Hand said: “I believe this is a very competitive squad and one of the most talented GB squads I have ever known.

“We are going to Latvia as the underdogs and I am sure most people in the ice hockey world don’t expect us to qualify.

“But this is the most close-knit squad I have worked with and they believe in their own abilities.

“As with the trip to Japan for the pre-qualifiers, some quality players have been left out.

“But many of them are amongst the reserves and we can call upon them if need-be.”