The International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) officially presented the European Cup of Nations-a new competition format that is supposed to fill the international break breaks with exciting and meaningful national team duels. The IIHF is thus implementing a central point of its ICE26 strategy plan and opens up a new chapter in the development of European ice hockey.
The competition takes place in the traditional international breaks in November, December and February. A total of 17 nations take part and play in groups of three or four on the entire continent.
Participating countries:
Germany, Slovakia, Latvia, Norway, Denmark, Austria, Hungary, Poland, France, Slovenia, Great Britain, Italy, Netherlands, Lithuania, Estonia, Spain and Romania.
All games are transferred live to IIHF TV and are therefore accessible to fans worldwide – an additional highlight away from the annual World Championships.
“This is a big step for European ice hockey,” said IIHF President Luc Tardif. “With the European Cup of Nations, we finally offer a framework that gives the national teams a real meaning and consistency during the breaks. This format has the potential to promote sport both sporty and economically in Europe.”
The national associations also have approval:
Morten Green, General Manager of the Danish national team, emphasized: “It’s about real competitions, not just games. Players and fans now have something to look forward to – rivalries, rising standards and games with added value.”
Zsuzsanna Kolbenheyer, President of the Hungarian Association, emphasized: “Our players need meaningful games to develop further – this competition provides exactly that.”
Marta Zawadzka, Vice President of the Polish Association, added: “With the European Cup of Nations, we not only build up a tournament, but a sustainable basis for long -term value.”
With the new format, the IIHF wants to strengthen the competitive structure in Europe, give players more opportunities for international practice and offer fans additional reasons to pursue their national teams.
Further information on game plans, groups and broadcasts is available on IIHF TV.
Pic: F. Gärtner
