Nothing works without them: The South Tyroleans alongside the stars

As is customary at world championships, each team was assigned its own manager who was available to "their" team practically 24 hours a day. Besides language skills, organizational talent and improvisation were particularly important, as the teams from all over the world often had very different requests that needed to be fulfilled as quickly as possible.

“I’m the link between the team and the organizing committee, and I have to pass on requests, criticisms, and concerns to the committee,” explains Luis Zuggal, who has held almost every position since the 1994 Ice Hockey World Championship in Bolzano. This all-rounder was assigned to Team USA. Or rather, selected by them. “I’ve been friends with General Manager Bill Guerin for years. He asked me if I would accompany the US team to Milan as a team host,” says Zuggal, who worked for Canada at the Turin Olympics 20 years ago. In 2006, Guerin, a two-time Stanley Cup winner, was still playing forward for his home country.

Josef “Pepi” Giovanett became world champion with the Czech Republic Josef "Pepi" Giovanett is a true veteran of the team host scene. The 71-year-old from Neumarkt, who himself played the world's fastest team sport for 22 years, first hosted Germany at the 2006 Turin Games. Since then, his connection with Team Germany has remained strong. Giovanett accompanied the Germans to the 2009 World Championships in Bern and, a year later, as team host for the Czech Republic with Jaromir Jagr, became world champion in Cologne. In 2017, he fulfilled the wishes of the Danish players and has now returned to his roots and his favorite team, Germany.

<a data-caption="Josef „Pepi“ Giovanett ist nicht nur ein großer Deutschland-Fan, sondern auch ein guter Freund von NHL-Torhüter Philipp Grubauer (links)." data-fancybox="inline-302187" target="_image" href="https://s3-images.sportnews.bz/_images/scale/1280x1280/img/2026/02/josef-pepi-giovanett-ist-nicht-nur-ein-grosser-deutschland-fan-sondern-auch-ein-guter-freund-von-nhl-torhueter-philipp-grubauer-links.jpg"> Josef “Pepi” Giovanett is not only a big fan of Germany, but also a good friend of NHL goalie Philipp Grubauer (left).

Kurt "Punta" Suen is in Milan looking after Latvia, a country that boasts ten NHL players. The 75-year-old from Bruneck, who himself once chased after the puck, was the team manager of Italy's U18 national team for over 20 years and has experienced countless World Championship tournaments firsthand. Now he's switched sides and is looking after Elvis Merzlikins and his teammates. "We take care of things like player transportation, ice time, and even the towels in the locker room," Suen explains.

The role of team host is also being taken on by the two Ritten natives, Alexander Eisath and Lorenz Daccordo. The two former forwards of the Ritten Buam, both 39 years old, didn't want to miss this opportunity. Since last weekend, the duo has been fully embracing the Olympic spirit of "taking part is everything." Eisath was assigned to Team Sweden, today's opening opponent of host nation Italy, while Daccordo joined the Czech Republic team, featuring superstar David Pastrnak.

Jan Konder is the youngest and has home advantage. Speaking of Italy: Jan Konder is the team manager for the "Azzurri." The 21-year-old is the son of Bolzano's deputy mayor, Stephan Konder, who himself played ice hockey for the legendary Milan Devils in his youth. Konder Junior, who played for the Bolzano Academy for four years, is studying International Business in Innsbruck and is the only one who doesn't (yet) have to "take care of" an NHL player. However, with Damian Clara, drafted by the Anaheim Ducks, one player is not far from the best league in the world.

Damian Clara (left) and Jan Konder (right).

The Swiss national team boasts eleven NHL players. Roman Josi and his teammates can also rely on Philipp Nussbaumer, a South Tyrolean himself. The 35-year-old, who recently became a father, has close ties to ice hockey, having served as the equipment manager for the HC Unterland Cavaliers for the past four years.

Bernd Haake may not be from South Tyrol, but he is very well known in this region. The former Bolzano championship-winning coach celebrated his 80th birthday just under a month ago and is currently looking after the players of Denmark.

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Nothing works without them: The South Tyroleans alongside the stars

South Tyrol is represented at the ice hockey tournament in Milan by five women and six men. Looking behind the scenes, however, one realizes that numerous other South Tyroleans are contributing to the success of this major event these days.

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