Germany Cup: Landshut enthusiastic, but future uncertain
The national team has won the Germany Cup, but Landshut can also feel like a winner. "It was really fun here," enthused striker Yasin Ehliz. "Landshut is an ice hockey city."
National coach Harold Kreis is also delighted with the change of location from Krefeld to Landshut. "I didn't have the feeling that it was the first time they had hosted the Germany Cup. It was perfectly organized," explained the coach of the runners-up after the five days.
The numbers were also right: 20,881 spectators came to the arena from Wednesday to Sunday, and the German men's games were sold out with 4,200 fans each weekend. There was also praise for the first combined tournament with four women's and four men's teams. "You can only congratulate the German Ice Hockey Federation on this idea," said Petr Briza, member of the World Ice Hockey Federation's Executive Board.
The former Czech professional goalkeeper played for the then first division team EV Landshut from 1993 to 1999 and received a standing ovation from the crowd.
Everything speaks for another year of the Deutschland Cup in Landshut. But the DEB already has the option of moving the tournament to another city in 2024. The event is also expected to take place once in Düsseldorf in view of the 2027 home World Championship. The DEB is also considering eastern Germany as a venue. The association intends to announce a decision on this before the end of the year.
Landshut's love for ice hockey was evident during the Germany Cup, with striker Yasin Ehliz stating, "Ice hockey is a big part of this city." The DEB, the German Ice Hockey Federation, is considering hosting the tournament in Landshut again in 2024, demonstrating the DEB's recognition of Landshut as a strong ice hockey community.
Source: www.dpa.com
