Traditional ice hockey tournament
Krefeld (dpa) – Probably never since the first tournament in 1987 was the sporting outcome of the Ice Hockey Germany Cup as insignificant as this year.
The 31st edition of the home tournament of the German Ice Hockey Federation was perhaps the most important of all. Even before the final on Sunday in Krefeld between Germany and Latvia, DEB President Franz Reindl was relieved. “The greatest success that we have achieved for ourselves is giving the signal to everyone in the sport, including the league, that it works. It works, ”said Reindl on the edge of the most unusual Germany Cup so far.
After eight months of corona-related standstill in German ice hockey and a year without an international match, the DEB had made great efforts to at least hold the traditional tournament. “Of course we make minus, but we can do it. We have to go ahead as a leading association,” said Reindl.
The by no means rich association lost 300,000 euros due to a lack of audience income. Added to this were the costs for pandemic-compliant support for the teams in the bladder and around 500 corona tests. According to DEB, they were all negative until Sunday – and Reindl only wanted to be measured by that. «A successful tournament if we don’t have a Corona case. That would be the greatest success for everyone. “
The mission for the 65-year-old was already fulfilled before the final day. The ex-national player and Olympic bronze winner from 1976 had set it in his head to give a stage, hope and perspective to the entire sport, which had been noticed during the pandemic, especially by representatives of the German ice hockey league through complaints and complaints . «I have to be honest: money doesn’t matter now. Now it’s about survival. We have to present ourselves. We have now done that. ” The DEB also accepted the absence of national coach Toni Söderholm, who had been infected with the corona virus in the run-up to the tournament.
The players who had been prevented for months gratefully accepted the opportunity despite adverse circumstances. “We accept everything to advance the sport and make it possible at all,” said Mannheim’s Matthias Plachta after the 4: 2 on Saturday in the first comparison with Latvia, the only nation to participate despite the dangers of the increasing number of infections in Europe was ready for the actual four-nation tournament. In his need, the DEB provided a third participant in its own Olympic perspective team.
The players didn’t care about the unusual format. “You can’t overestimate that,” said the long-time NHL professional Korbinian Holzer. “This is a giant, giant step in the right direction to get the DEL going too,” said Plachta.
Now the league, which is particularly dependent on viewer income, is challenged. Unlike the national leagues in handball and basketball, the German Ice Hockey League has not yet been able to start playing. A decision is to be taken on November 19. Before that, a specially launched preparatory tournament with eight of the 14 DEL clubs and one game every day until December will start as a test run on Wednesday.
“It will of course be even more difficult for the DEL,” admitted Reindl. Leaving teams in a bubble for a few days is different from running an entire season. “But you can also get a grip on that. It’s also possible in football », said optimist Reindl, who, unlike other DEB representatives, deliberately held back from criticizing the external image of the DEL.
DEB sports director Stefan Schaidnagel, on the other hand, tried to promote the sport, always the confrontation. The 39-year-old was missing in Krefeld. «He’s been on sick leave since October 19th. That is our explanation, »said Reindl simply. The association left the questions that arose from this unanswered.
© dpa-infocom, dpa: 201108-99-256272 / 2
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