Sports
11:04, 11-Feb-2018
Joint Korean women's ice hockey team lose Olympic debut game
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The unified Korean women's ice hockey team made history competing in the first official game together, but they ended up losing 8-0 to Switzerland at the PyeongChang Winter Olympics on Saturday night.
The significance of the game went well beyond the ice and even the Olympics. The stands in the Kwandong Hockey Center were packed with eager spectators from host Republic of Korea (ROK) and a well-coordinated cheer squad from the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) as supporters from both countries came together as one to wave the white flag reflecting a unified Korean peninsula at the Games.
Team Switzerland celebrate after defeating the unified Korea team 8-0 during the Women's Ice Hockey Preliminary Round. /VCG Photo
Team Switzerland celebrate after defeating the unified Korea team 8-0 during the Women's Ice Hockey Preliminary Round. /VCG Photo
That Switzerland, the 2014 Winter Olympic bronze medalists, won a lop-sided game hardly mattered as the fans cheered every time the Korean team crossed their opponent’s blue line, hoping for a goal that never came.
As the players left the arena, the Korean spectators appeared to be in high spirits and proud of their squad.
DPRK cheerleaders during the match /VCG Photo
DPRK cheerleaders during the match /VCG Photo