SV Kaltern is celebrating reaching the final of the Italian Cup. © Tobias Keim / SV Kaltern - Social Media

Italian Cup: No South Tyrolean dream final

At the Final Four in Varese there were two semi-final games on Saturday. While the pirates from Eppan had to fight against Pergine, the Hechte from Kaltern had to deal with the host himself. In the end, however, only one South Tyrolean team could celebrate.

20 January 2024

From: mv

HC Eppan ANet lost against HC Pergine and lost 2:6. The “Pirates” were behind after just 15 seconds, and in the 10th minute Pergine increased the lead to 2-0. The Eppan team responded in the first third through Riccardo Tombolato, who reduced the score to 1:2 in the power play (13th). With this result, the two teams went into the changing rooms for the first time.

A catastrophic second third was the Pirates' undoing. Pergine scored four (!) hits in this one. With a 1:6 deficit, the Überetscher started the third period with the aim of steering the game in the right direction. The Pirates only managed a 2-6 consolation goal from Martin Graf, again in the power play (50th).

For HC Eppan around goalie Alex Paller (left) the semi-final was the final destination. © HC Eppan

Kaltern celebrates reaching the final

In the second semi-final, however, a South Tyrolean team was able to celebrate a victory. SV Kaltern rothoblaas defeated HC Varese 4-2 in their own stadium - and followed Pergine into the final of the Italian Cup. The Überetscher started the game well and took the lead in the 10th minute in the power play through Moritz Selva. The lead lasted until shortly before the end of the second third, before Marcello Borghi - also in the majority - made it 1-1 (38th).

The decision had to be made in the final third, where the Hechte initially took the lead: Selva set up Michele Volcan, who made it 2-1 (48th). Shortly afterwards, Kaltern was even able to double the lead through Franz Erschbamer (55th). But the Mexican in the service of HC Varese, Hector Majul, made the game exciting again with his power play goal in the 59th minute. In the final phase, Varese threw everything forward, goalkeeper Rocco Perla made room for a sixth field player. But the team that celebrated after 60 minutes of play was SV Kaltern - also because Luca De Dona made the final score 4-2 with an empty net goal.

Final on Sunday

Everything is now set for the big finale in Varese. The Hechte from Kaltern were in the final of the Italian Cup last year; At that time, Varese prevailed 3-1. The Überetscher want to do better this year and lift the trophy in the end. But first a strong team from Pergine must be defeated. SV Kaltern and HC Pergine will duel on Sunday from 18 p.m.

The two semi-final games

HC Pergine – HC Eppan ANet 6:2
Goals: 1:0 Meneghini (0.15), 2:0 Foltin (9.08), 2:1 Tombolato (12.51/PP1), 3:1 Lemay (21.19), 4:1 Manganelli (24.04), 5:1 Lemay (39.02 ), 6:1 Foltin (39.39), 6:2 Graf (49.28/PP1).

SV Kaltern – HC Varese 4:2
Goals: 1:0 Selva (9.15/PP1), 1:1 Borghi (37.01/PP1), 2:1 Volcan (47.19), 3:1 Erschbamer (54.54), 3:2 Majul (58.33/PP1), 4: 2 De Dona (59.28/EN).