TV mix-up has Russian fans celebrating despite losing hockey match

Canada’s hockey captain Barrett Hayton. (AP)
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Updated 07 January 2020
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TV mix-up has Russian fans celebrating despite losing hockey match

Some Russian hockey fans were celebrating victory despite losing at the world junior hockey championships because of a confusingly timed TV repeat.

Two state TV channels showed Russia-Canada finals at the same time on Sunday. One was live, and the other was from 2011.

While most fans, and Russia’s players, commiserated after a 4-3 loss to Canada on Channel One, many Russians watched a nail-biting, 9-year-old 5-3 comeback win on rival broadcaster Match TV.

Some fans posted celebratory messages on social media, or complained media outlets were reporting the wrong score. It became hard to tell who was genuinely duped and who was in on the joke.

BACKGROUND

• Two state TV channels showed Russia-Canada finals at the same time on Sunday. One was live, and the other was from 2011.

• While most fans, and Russia’s players, commiserated after a 4-3 loss to Canada on Channel One, many Russians watched a nail-biting, 9-year-old 5-3 comeback win on rival broadcaster Match TV.

Soccer player Dmitry Tarasov wrote on Instagram: “Well done guys, congratulations on the win.” After the post was widely mocked, Tarasov said it was meant as a joke after he forfeited in a board game he was playing with family.

Yana Tarasenko, a lifestyle blogger who is the wife of St. Louis Blues forward Vladimir Tarasenko, posted on Instagram that her husband had watched the 2011 game for 10 minutes in the belief it was live — at least “until he saw himself in the game.”

Tarasenko was on the winning Russian team in 2011, but at the age of 28 he is now far too old for world juniors.

It wasn’t immediately clear why Match TV decided to show the 2011 final at the same time as the live broadcast. It had shown live world juniors games earlier in the tournament, but the medal rounds were only on Channel One. Match TV didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment.


UAE, Qatar reject Bloomberg reports on defense capabilities

Updated 03 March 2026
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UAE, Qatar reject Bloomberg reports on defense capabilities

  • The ministry said the UAE operates diverse, integrated and multi-layered air defense systems capable of countering a full range of aerial threats

DUBAI: The United Arab Emirates and Qatar have rejected Bloomberg reporting on their defensive capabilities, describing the claims as inaccurate and misleading.

In a statement, the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the report did not reflect the country’s level of preparedness, technological sophistication or operational readiness. It said the UAE operates diverse, integrated and multi-layered air defense systems capable of countering a full spectrum of aerial threats, including long, medium and short-range systems that provide comprehensive protection of national airspace.

The ministry also said the country maintains a robust strategic stockpile of munitions to ensure sustained interception and response capacity over extended periods. It reaffirmed that the UAE’s defense capabilities and national security framework remain “steadfast and uncompromised,” stressing that the safety of citizens, residents and visitors remains a top priority.

In a separate statement, Qatar’s International Media Office denied a Bloomberg report claiming the country’s stockpile of Patriot interceptor missiles had been depleted.

It said the inventory held by the Qatar Armed Forces “has not been depleted and remains well-stocked,” adding that the military remains at full readiness to defend the nation against external threats.

Qatar also criticized the publication of what it described as unverified information during a fast-moving and sensitive period in the region, calling it irresponsible and warning it is reviewing all appropriate options, including legal measures, to ensure the information is corrected.