EHC Biel-Bienne are readying up for their second stint in the Champions Hockey League as they are set for their first-ever meeting against Italian side HC Bolzano.
As winners of the ICE Hockey League Regular Season, Bolzano are returning for their third appearance and are hoping to improve on their past play in the CHL where they split their records both times (3-3 in 2014/15 and 4-4 - in 2018/19). Their opponents from the Swiss-German border gained CHL qualification due to their fifth-place finish in their National League. Biel-Bienne made the most of their first CHL appearance last season reaching the Quarter-Finals before being ousted by eventual Champions the Frölunda Indians.
Sports Director of Bolzano, Dieter Knoll, is taking a pragmatic approach to the matchup as he’s focused on making sure the Foxes, “do their best to get the fans excited.” He goes on to say: “We know it's not easy, but making the next round is definitely our first goal.” During Knoll’s 15-year tenure with the club, he has seen the Foxes skate away with numerous National titles, but he has yet to watch them in a CHL Final. When it comes to playing into the later rounds of the season, however, his confidence is absolute: “In the past we've shown that we can beat top-level teams.”
"Everything matters and you have to be at your best in these games."Antti Törmänen, EHC Biel-Bienne Head Coach
Beating top-level teams is certainly something Biel-Bienne Head Coach Antti Törmänen is concerned with, but he also believes it’s important, “to enjoy every game and possibility that tests us against other top teams in Europe.” Törmänen hopes to repeat last year's success saying: “Our team EHC Biel found it a very nice experience to be part of the CHL last year. We want this year to go the same way as last year.” Following a phenomenal first campaign which saw Biel-Bienne compete in the Quarter-Finals, the team are more invested than ever in making sure this knock-out round matchup won’t be their last.
Advancing past the first-round isn’t like depositing a puck in an empty net, though, and both Knoll and Törmänen understand what they’re up against. Knoll was with the Foxes when they competed in 2014/15 and 2018/19, whilst Törmänen coached IFK Helsinki during their CHL runs between 2014 and 2017. Each recognize the challenges they face and have nothing but respect for their opponents. “We had challenging games last year against another ICE Hockey League team, so we know that these opponents are good and not easy to win against. They battle hard and compete for every puck,” Törmänen admitted.
Similarly, Knoll didn’t shy away from the fact that Biel-Bienne are, “a very good club with talented players,” and goes on to say, “I am sure it will be a good challenge.” Because neither side has faced each other in the CHL up to this point, they are also aware of the excitement surrounding their matchup. According to Knoll: “For us it is a pleasure, because Swiss hockey is very popular in Italy and so it will be an interesting match for the public.”
Regardless of the outcome, Knoll and Törmänen are humbled to be considered among the best in European hockey. “We are proud that we can be part of this league. It is a good way to see different kinds of opponents, stadiums, fans, players and games too. And I think everybody can have their share of this,” Biel-Bienne’s bench boss declared. Knoll understands this too, saying, "the CHL is a very popular competition for our fans and of course also for our club. It allows us to compare ourselves with the best teams in Europe, to see different hockey and to experience new challenges.”
Experiencing new challenges and sharing hockey with fans all over the world is a cornerstone of the CHL. Every club competing in this prestigious competition can attest to this, and these two teams are no exception. For Knoll, “it is no coincidence, in fact, two years ago we brought over 4,000 people to the stadium in August.” Adding, “this has never happened in Bolzano in the middle of summer.” Törmänen adding: “It doesn't matter if you are a player, coach or staff … It's a good way for the whole club to see how things are done in different environments.”
"Anything is possible: in the past we've shown that we can beat top-level teams."Dieter Knoll, Sports Director of HC Bolzano
Come October, these two teams will have the chance to hopefully experience more than just new environments as they begin their journey for a CHL title. Though, Knoll lamented, “it’s a pity” that the competition has been shortened. He went on to say that this new format motivates his team to, “do our best to go as far as possible and make a great CHL journey.” Törmänen agrees that, “Everything matters and you have to be at your best in these games.”