MINSK, Jan. 3 -- The XV Christmas International Amateur Ice Hockey Tournament for the prizes of the President of Belarus opened in Minsk on Thursday.

The traditional Christmas tournament is held in Minsk from January 3-7.

The Christmas Ice Hockey Tournament in Minsk unites nations, despite political crises and disagreements, Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko said at the opening ceremony.

The president drew attention to the fact that the geography of the tournament participants is expanding every year, and there are more and more people who want to come to Belarus.

Twelve teams compete for the honorary trophy - the teams from the Baltic States, the Balkans, China, the United Arab Emirates, Russia, Switzerland, Slovakia, Finland, Germany, the Czech Republic, Belarus, and the team of the International Ice Hockey Federation.

On the first day, hockey players from Slovakia defeated Switzerland 10-4, the UAE team won a victory over the Balkans' team 9-5, and Belarus defeated the team of the International Ice Hockey Federation 13-7.

The national team of Belarus won Christmas tournament 11 times. The Russian team celebrated their success three times, respectively in 2007, 2011 and 2017.

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