Stefan Liv honored in ceremonies today

The queues coiled length in front of the coffins with the requisite portraits of the deceased players of Lokomotiv.

One of those who came to say goodbye to the players was the Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin. There were also many relatives on the spot.

The former HV-player Teemu Laine, who would have played against his former teammate Life in Minsk Arena, attended a memorial service for Lokomotiv on Friday.He knelt in front of the painting on the goalkeeper and stood with head sunk.

- It was like a big nasty funeral. I just cried, cried and cried, he says to the J-news.

Lots of people

Several thousand gathered in Yaroslavl to participate in the ceremony. AFP says that lots of people flocked to the Lokomotiv stadium to leave flowers and pay tribute to the deceased players. The stands were filled with fans, representatives from hockey and other Russian national team athletes. Commentators read out players' names and qualifications, and many wept during the ceremony that lasted for hours.

A funeral service was also held for several of the players in the cathedral in Yaroslavl.The players' immediate family attended.The actual burials are expected to be held at several locations in Russia and in other countries when the bodies are shipped to hometowns.

In total 43 people were killed in the crash.

Jonkoping

in Sweden, and above all Jonkoping, many affected by national team goalkeeper and the longstanding HV-player Stefan Liv's death.Today's memorial ceremony in the arena in Jönköping is expected to collect several thousand, and tonight is Sofia church open.

- It is an initiative of the HV 71's management, says the priest Torgny Wirén to the J-news.

Wirén, together with Pastor Magnus Carlson will stay in the collection. Carlson is also HV's fitness coach.

Thousands of people came to pay tribute to Stefan Liv and his teammates in Jaroslav on Saturday. There will also be a memorial service in hometown Jönköping Life l

ater in the day.