Visiting the Eiswelle: Another World

By Thomas Debelyak

It's bizarre how much the world can change in just 200 days. On March 4, 2020, the HCB won the first quarter-final game against Znojmo 3-1 in the Eiswelle - at that time still driven by 3000 frenetic fans who high-fived each other after the goals, hugged each other, sang together and celebrated. This was the last time that the ice wave mutated into such a cauldron: After that came Corona - and everything changed.

Yesterday, Sunday, exactly 200 days after the last home game, the HCB played another game in the Eiswelle. With They swept the AlpsHL club Asiago 8-0 in the test match from the ice, which is why there are two findings after the 60 minutes: The HCB has one of the most powerful troops in the league again this year - but everything around it will no longer be what it was before. The desire for the HCB is great A total of 200 fans were allowed to come to the ice wave for the test game on Sunday, and there should be around 2000 for championship home games. You could only get the tickets online, there was nothing at the box office. A procedure that - due to corona - is likely to become common practice in the future. The fact that the 200 tickets were sold out in no time at all shows that there is a great desire among HCB fans to see top-class ice hockey again, but also that the spectators are prepared to pay 14 euros or 22 euros for a test game. XNUMX euros (premium seats) to spend.

“True fans save the season” ICE Hockey League slogan Before you go into the stadium, your temperature will of course be taken. Mouth and nose protection must be worn at all times, even when sitting in the stands. The fans adhered to this in an exemplary manner on Sunday against Asiago, as well as the safety distance. There is at least one free space between each fan - if not, the security staff present will ask you to comply.

The HCB also repeatedly advertises on the state-of-the-art video cube with the league slogan: “True fans save the season.” In other words: True fans save the season. That means: keep your distance, wear a face mask, disinfect your hands. Because ice hockey without fans – that’s not possible. In terms of atmosphere, one or the other club would probably be able to cope with it, but not financially - because in hardly any other sport in this country are the clubs as dependent on spectator income as in ice hockey.

200 fans were allowed to attend the test match against Asiago.

Speaking of which, the mood will also be subdued in Bolzano over the next few weeks and months. This is one of the reasons why you feel like you are in another world. The infamous Bozner Kurve, which is considered the best fan group in the league, is empty. The fact that hundreds of supporters will stand close together here, shouting cheers, shouting battle chants, blowing whistles on the ice or lying in each other's arms cheering after goals - that is almost impossible in the near future. Against Asiago, the 8 goals from Bolzano were acknowledged with a short “Oho” or “Bravo” and lots of applause, and in the current situation not much more is possible. The game itself is in the foreground But the “Curva” doesn’t let her passion be completely taken away from her. After the game on Sunday, fans set off a pyrotechnic show in front of the stadium and sang their songs loudly. It should also be mentioned that Corona rules were not paid as close attention to as in the stadium.

All in all, it is an unusual situation to watch an ice hockey match in Bolzano. As in other sports - such as professional football - the game itself is now 100 percent in the foreground. And the HCB has a lot to offer here this year. The 22 goals in the 3 preparatory games against the AlpsHL clubs Wipptal Broncos and Asiago were a welcome appetizer for what is to follow in the championship in the next few weeks. Because one thing is clear: This HCB can achieve great things this year - even if the fans have to be a little quieter for once.

ICE Regular Season ICE	SP	TV	P
1. Klagenfurt	47	183:101	102
2. Fehervar	46	146:126	89
3. Salzburg	46	142:107	87
4. HCB South Tyrol	46	137:125	76
5. Linz	46	146:116	75
6. Villach	46	155:136	74
View all

Football

Italy

International leagues

International

Winter sports

Tennis

Other sports

Motorsport

Cycling

Watersports

Events

Favorites

Visiting the Eiswelle: Another World

On Sunday evening, HCB Südtirol Alperia played its first home game in almost half a year. Since the Corona crisis, many things are no longer what they used to be. Impressions from the largest ice hockey stadium in South Tyrol.

Suggestions

Comments (0)