As the height of summer continues to set in, the first major ice hockey highlight of the new season is drawing ever closer: in exactly 50 days’ time, the 20th edition of the Dolomitencup will get underway in Neumarkt, South Tyrol.
Happy Birthday to you: When the first face-off of this year’s Dolomiten Cup takes place on Friday 21 August in the picturesque Würtharena, a very special edition of this prestigious pre-season tournament will get underway. For the 20th time, Europe’s ice hockey elite will battle it out for the highly coveted trophy. Anticipation for this anniversary edition is growing by the hour. In exactly 50 days’ time, it’ll all come down to the wire in the south of South Tyrol.
Over the past 20 years, the Dolomitencup in Neumarkt has established itself as one of the most prestigious pre-season tournaments in European ice hockey. This is clearly evident from this year’s line-up of participants. The line-up includes Eisbären Berlin, the reigning German champions; EV Zug, one of the hottest Swiss teams of recent years; Kometa Brno, a real heavyweight from the Czech Republic; and the Augsburger Panther, a club steeped in tradition from Bavaria.
Big anniversary party on Saturday
The Dolomitencup kicks off on Friday 21 August at 8 pm with the semi-final between the Augsburger Panthern and Kometa Brno. On Saturday, the second semi-final between EV Zug and the Eisbären Berlin will take place – though not at the usual time of 8 pm, but at 3.30 pm. There is a special reason for this: a major anniversary celebration is planned for the evening from 7.30 pm in the centre of Neumarkt. As always, Sunday is reserved for the finals. The third-place play-off takes place at 3.45 pm, and the grand final at 8 pm.
Large crowds are expected again this year; as usual, the Würtharena is always packed to the rafters. Tickets are still available for the prestigious pre-season tournament in Neumarkt.
