If you look at my HF icon, under it is a basic profile, date joined, messages, likes, etc. At the bottom you will find "Home Page" with a link to a website on Austrian hockey. A website that I write myself.
If you were around these boards around the time the world cup format was announced you would have seen the reality. All the Slovak players, Slovak fans, Swiss players, Swiss fans etc. were extremely displeased with this decision and voiced it. All the fans as well of other smaller nations were displeased, and they voiced their displeasure too. It was virtually unanimous, while on the other side were a few Canadians and Americans who felt those teams contribute nothing to the tournament.
I don't know if you're from a small country or not, but your message does not speak to the opinion of fans from small countries. I know fans of those countries you mentioned in person, fans of those countries you mentioned frequent these boards, none of them were happy with this. I know Austrian fan clubs, booster clubs and fans who travel whatever the weather to go see us lose to Canada 9-1, or another team 9-1. I know the players, I know the coaches in our system. But not just that, I know Swedish players, Slovenian players, hockey OPs from those countries and from other countries as well.
I would say most people were understanding of the decision to omit us from the world cup. Understanding, but resentful, and certainly not supportive. Perhaps you do, but most Europeans do not associate with the general title "Europe" any more than a Brazilian might associate with the term "American." Having a player there is not "meaningful representation."
This is empirically proven in all the sporting realms. Look at the Olympics, where sports like Volleyball and Basketball will feature 12 teams even if only 3 or 4, sometimes even only 2 or perhaps only 1 team has a chance of winning. Or the World Cup, where dozens of teams have no chance to win the tournament and many do little but stack 10 men into the 22 yard box and pray. If people wanted to see super countries we wouldn't have teams from the AFC, we'd have "Team Asia." If people preferred what you ludicrously call "meaningful representation" there wouldn't be teams from CAF, there would be one "Team Africa." How many relay teams in swimming have a meaningful chance to win? Many end up something like a full length behind the leaders. Or even look at the Rugby World Cup where only four teams have ever won and only 5 teams have ever contended yet 20 teams are permitted and regularly result in scores like 65-3, 60-3, 54-9, etc. Representation of national squads who have no legitimate chance in tournaments is ubiquitous within sports, and that's inarguable.
You're free to hold your own opinion. I won't stop you there. To take your personal opinion and say that it represents everyone when there is no empirical evidence to demonstrate this is absurd.
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