The ice hockey leagues around the planet are in full swing these days, as the playoffs – the fifth season – are just around the corner. Nevertheless, the Dolomitencup in Neumarkt/South Tyrol is already casting its shadow. The date has been set, as has the first prominent participant in the preparatory tournament in South Tyrol.
The Dolomitencup – one of the most prestigious summer preparation tournaments in Europe – will take place for the 19th time this year. The ice hockey classic, which has always attracted teams and fans from near and far, will take place from August 15 to 17 in the beautiful Würtharena in Neumarkt. The first participant has already been announced and is well known in the beautiful South Tyrolean lowlands.
Dynamo Pardubice will once again be in the hunt for the title. The traditional Czech club took part in the Dolomitencup in 2022 and 2023 and took the coveted trophy with them on the 800-kilometre journey back to Eastern Bohemia both times. The results of the finals show just how dominant Pardubice was: in 2022, the Czechs won 4:1 against Eisbären Berlin, and in 2023, 5:1 against HC Davos. With their iron physique, they not only cleared their opponents out of the way in the icy oval of the Würtharena, but also swept the many Czech fans who had traveled with them off their seats
After a break in the summer of 2024, the Czechs are now returning to the Würth Arena. A look at the recent past alone shows that Pardubice is a huge attraction for the tournament. In December 2023, the team led by former NHL crack Lukas Sedlak made it to the final of the world-famous Spengler Cup, but was beaten by HC Davos. A few months later, Pardubice also reached the final of the Czech Extraliga. But in a dramatic series against HC Ocelári Trinec, Dynamo had to concede defeat in the second overtime of Game 7.
This year, Pardubice will finally win its first championship title since 2012. The Czechs are currently going strong in the league and are in second place. One thing is certain: Dynamo Pardubice will be a real European ice hockey heavyweight in Neumarkt in mid-August.
