In an unusual role: Christian Borgatello. © BK Photo

Meran’s furious start: “I had to sit down first”

HC Meran started the season with a sensational comeback and a surprise coup against champions Ritten – and with a man on the bench who had imagined his first game as an “ice hockey pensioner” to be completely different: Christian Borgatello.

September 25, 2024

Borgatello laced up his skates as a professional for 26 years. He played in Scotland, as well as in Hungary and at several stations in Italy, including his hometown of Merano. He hung up his skates there last spring - and has now celebrated an unexpected comeback as the main actor behind the boards. The 42-year-old is actually assistant to head coach Jarred Skalde, but has to replace him due to a suspension. And he will do the same in the upcoming two South Tyrolean duels.

Before Borgatello faces the next tests on Thursday in Neumarkt and then on Saturday against Wipptal, the former national defender looks forward to SportNews back to a premiere that could hardly have been more emotional. Meran was 1:4 behind at home against the big favorite Ritten, but then turned the result around and won 5:4 in overtime. Not only 800 fans were completely over the moon, but also Borgatello himself. "Afterwards I went into the coach's cabin and had to sit down. I was full of adrenaline. It felt like I had been on the ice in a championship-deciding game 7," said the veteran.

“So many things went through my head during the game” Christian Borgatello

The novice coach, who is actually mainly responsible for the defense in Merano, made a major contribution to the victory. He changed the lines during the game and fueled the comeback with perfect power play. "So many things went through my head during the game, it was crazy. As a player you 'just' have to play your game, but on the bench you have to make a lot of decisions and think ahead. I didn't expect that," said the substitute coach.

New signing Teruto Nakajima and the HCM got off to a lightning start. © BK Photo

During the breaks between periods, Borgatello kept in touch with head coach Skalde by phone, who praised him highly afterwards. "He came to me in the locker room and said I had done it perfectly. That was a great feeling." Now the Merano club legend is already looking forward to the next tasks. "It's really fun with the team. In recent years we've had very old players and very young players in the squad, this year the mix is ​​better. There's real fire here!" Borgatello will let this fire flare up again against the Cavaliers and the Broncos, after which he will move back into the second row alongside Skalde.

More South Tyrolean duels on the programme

The Eagles' performances in Neumarkt and at home against Wipptal are not the only ice hockey highlights this week. On Saturday there will be another all-South Tyrolean duel with Ritten against Unterland, and Val Gardena will also have an explosive home game against Cortina on Friday and a long away trip to Croatia to KHL Sisak on Saturday.

At the nuclear IHL HC Drei Zinnen will have a South Tyrolean double on the second championship weekend. On Thursday, the completely renewed Toblacher will host SV Kaltern, who already flexed their muscles in the 4-0 opening win against Alleghe. Two days later, the Pusterer will be guests at HC Eppan.

This week’s South Tyrolean ice hockey dates:

Alps Hockey League

Tuesday, September 24
Salzburg II – Wipptal (19.15 p.m.)

Thursday, September 26th
Unterland – Meran (20 p.m.)
Ritten – Zell am See (20 p.m.)
Val Gardena – Cortina (20.30 p.m.)

Saturday, September 28st
Ritten – Unterland (18 p.m.)
Sisak – Val Gardena (18.30 pm)
Merano – Wipptal (19.30 pm)


Italian Hockey League

Thursday, September 26th
Three Peaks – Kaltern (20 p.m.)
Brixen – Pergine (20 p.m.)
Valdifiemme – Eppan (20.30 p.m.)

Saturday, September 28st
Kaltern – Valdifiemme (19.30 p.m.)
Eppan – Three Peaks (19.30 pm)