On Sunday, HC Pustertal (black) and HC Bozen (white) will once again be racing across the ice. © HC Pustertal/Iwan Foppa

Tensions are running high before the derby: "We owe them something."

When red and white meet black and yellow, South Tyrolean ice hockey comes to a standstill. The derby between HCB Südtirol and HC Pustertal promises once again plenty of emotion, intensity, and the answer to the question: Who is number one in the region?

February 01, 2026

From: do

Red and white versus black and yellow. Two color combinations that repeatedly divide ice hockey in South Tyrol throughout the year. Hardly any other sporting event in our region polarizes opinion as much as the duel between HCB Südtirol and HC Falkensteiner Pustertal. At least four times a season, the two best ice hockey teams in South Tyrol and Italy meet – and each time it's clear what that means: packed arenas, heated battles on the ice and in the stands, and top-notch athletic performances. And after the game, they retain the right to call themselves the best team in South Tyrol.

Three of these derbies between the Wolves and the Foxes have already been played this season. The Wolves emerged as the better team twice, and HC Pustertal once. The fourth round takes place on Sunday evening at 18 p.m. in the Sparkasse Arena in Bolzano.

The last derby was a heated affair. © HC Pustertal/Iwan Foppa

Packed stands and thousands of roaring fans are expected in the provincial capital. Bolzano versus Puster Valley – this duel thrills the masses. What adds to the excitement is, in theory, the clash of two teams with enormous potential. Both have consistently established themselves among the league's top six this season, both have displayed periods of superb hockey, and they are separated by only two points in the standings. Nevertheless, from both Bolzano's and Puster Valley's perspectives, much more than just their league position is at stake.

As HCB boss Dietmar Knoll recently emphasized in an s+ interviewThe declared goal of the Red and Whites is to clearly establish themselves as the best team in South Tyrol. "For me, the championship title is paramount. Right after that come the matches against HC Pustertal," explained Knoll. The fifth-placed team has already won the derby twice; a third victory would decisively decide the direct encounter in the regular season in favor of the team from the town of Talfer.

Pustertal wants revenge

And what about Pustertal? The desire for revenge is unmistakable there. Although they won the first encounter 5-3, after the 1-9 thrashing in Bolzano at the end of October, they also had to face a tough challenge in the next match. They were defeated 3:5 in the third derby at the beginning of January.One thing is certain: HC Pustertal is having a strong season, but in Bruneck they are longing for another derby victory.

Jon Blum (HCP) sums it up perfectly: “We owe them something. The last time we were there, it was embarrassing. We still have that in the back of our minds. We'll give it our all, and then we'll see what happens. It's going to be a great atmosphere, we're looking forward to it.” Ivan Deluca (HCP) echoes this sentiment: “We're really excited for the derby. A packed ice rink is always something special – loud and intense. We're ready.”

The players are eager for the match. © HC Pustertal/Iwan Foppa

The atmosphere is electric before the derby. The puck drops at 18 p.m. in the Sparkasse Arena in Bolzano. This is a game no one wants to miss.

ICE Hockey League, the games this weekend

Saturday
Vienna – Vorarlberg (4:30 p.m.)
Graz – Innsbruck (6:30 p.m.)

Sunday
Villach – Ljubljana (17 p.m.)
Klagenfurt – Linz (17.30 p.m.)
HCB Südtirol – HC Pustertal (18 p.m.)

The table