Dynamo Pardubice won the Dolomites Cup. © Vanna Antonello

Dynamo Pardubice a force in Neumarkt

The 19th edition of the Dolomiten Cup is history – and with it a historic final. Dynamo Pardubice has claimed the trophy for the third time in its third tournament appearance.

August 17, 2025

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In the sold-out Würtharena in Neumarkt, the Czech top club brought the Löwen Frankfurt from the DEL to their knees in spectacular fashion with a 4-1 win.

Three appearances, three trophies, six games, six wins – Pardubice and the Dolomites Cup are a perfect match. The puck-wielding Czech team truly presents itself in the South Tyrolean lowlands like a colossus, sweeping everything and everyone out of its way. In its first tournament appearance in 2022, Pardubice rolled over all its opponents, and they did the same in 2023. This time, last year's Extraliga finalist was back in action after a year's hiatus, and once again, no one could hold a candle to them. In the end, Czech world champion and long-time NHL star Lukas Sedlak lifted the trophy.

Exciting final

The final against the Frankfurt Lions, also three-time tournament winners, had everything a final should have: pace, intensity, beautiful goals, and, for a long time, great excitement. In short: It was the best ice hockey advertisement offered to the almost 1000 spectators in the Würtharena. Also thanks to the traveling fans who created a fantastic atmosphere.

Dynamo Pardubice beat the Lions from Frankfurt.

On the ice, the players were practically carried away by the atmosphere. Frankfurt, in particular, was on fire in the opening period. Right at the start, Dynamo goalie Tomas Vomacka defused a shot by Chris Wilkie with a spectacular save. However, the Frankfurt center returned the favor in the 13th minute with a one-timer to make it 1-0. He scored the Lions' third power-play goal in their second tournament game.

Suddenly the dynamo motor starts running

The goal against proved to be like fuel for the Dynamo engine, as the Czechs really turned up the heat after the first half. In this period alone, they fired 18 shots at Frankfurt's goal. Goalkeeper Mirko Pantkowski proved to be a virtually insurmountable obstacle for a long time – at least until the 36th minute, when he suddenly had to reach behind him twice within a matter of seconds. First, Jan Stransky steered the ball into the net, before Patrik Poulicek scored on the turn to make it 2-1, a well-deserved goal.

As the game progressed, with increasingly tough encounters and short boxing matches, Pardubice's offensive fireworks seemed to slowly fizzle out. Nevertheless, Frankfurt was unable to capitalize on the openings they now had. Quite the opposite, as Pardubice fired two more shots in the closing stages: Captain Sedlak fired the puck under the crossbar from a tight angle (53rd minute). It was the decisive 3-1. Shortly afterwards, Libor Hajek increased the lead to 4-1 with a slap shot (58th minute).

Landshut takes bronze

The small final had already taken place in the Würtharena that afternoon. The traditional German club EV Landshut from the DEL2 celebrated a hard-fought 2-1 victory against Vålerenga Oslo. It marked the beginning of a thrilling final day of this year's Dolomitencup, which later culminated in Dynamo Pardubice winning the title.

Löwen Frankfurt – HC Dynamo Pardubice 1:4

Frankfurt: Pantkowski (Brenner); Matushkin-Pasanen, McNeill-Joyaux, Niehus-Mckiernan, Kose; Pfannengut-Schweiger-Brace, Fröberg-Wilkie-Kose, Burns-Bicker-Dunham, Proft-Lobach-Cimmerman. Coach: Tom Rowe

Pardubice: Vomacka (Will); Dvorak-Ceresnak, Hajek-Gazda, Miklis-Tourigny, Hradek-Koskalek; Sedlak-Mandat-Lauko, Urban-Smejkal-Kousal, Poulicek-Vondracek-Kelemen, Hercik-Stransky-Kaplan.
Coach: Filip Pesan

Gates: 0:1 Chris Wilkie (12.43), 1:1 Jan Stransky (35.17), 1:2 Patrik Poulicek (35.46), 1:3 Lukas Sedlak (52.58), 1:4 Libor Hajek (57.02)

Viewers: 978 (sold out)