Bolzano, the Champions League and a childhood dream

It's finally starting: HCB Südtirol Alperia kicks off its new season on Friday. The Foxes are competing in the Champions Hockey League – and one player is particularly excited: captain Daniel Frank.

August 28, 2025

From: det

HC Bozen is used to long-distance trips from league play. But this road trip is different. The Foxes are heading to the far north of Scandinavia, where on Friday (19 p.m./SportNews-Liveticker) the first Champions League match against the Swedish top club Frölunda Göteborg is scheduled. Two days later, on Sunday, the Bolzano team will be in action from 15 p.m. (SportNews-Liveticker) in Finland at Lukko Rauma.

It's a special adventure for HCB, and also for captain Daniel Frank. For him, the match against Frölunda Gothenburg is a childhood dream come true. "I'm especially looking forward to Frölunda. This club has held a special fascination for me since childhood, the former logo with the legendary Indian head, all the successes in the Swedish league and the Champions League – that's something," the Merano striker told SportNews.

Annoying the favorites

However, Frank also adds: "We're not going there to admire our opponents. We want to really challenge the favorites. The same goes for the game against Lukko Rauma. We're only at the beginning of a long season, all teams are still testing and need to get into the swing of things, so the chances of an upset are certainly greater."

Frank has participated in the Champions League several times with Bozen.

Bolzano departed for Milan's Malpensa Airport on Thursday morning, and the flight to Sweden departed that afternoon. On Friday, the match against the four-time Champions League winners will take place in Gothenburg starting at 19 p.m., followed immediately by the HCB team's journey to Finland.

Seed and McClure are missing

Bolzano coach Kurt Kleinendorst will be without two players: defender Jason Seed will remain in Bolzano as he is about to become a father for the second time, and striker Brad McClure is sidelined with muscle problems. All others are available for selection. SportNews will be following HC Bozen's Champions League matches with a live ticker, so you can follow the action in real time.