Copyright: IMAGO/Maximilian Koch
Uwe Krupp, coach of the Kölner Haie, here on January 20, 2023 in Düsseldorf.
Playoffs in the DEL – the hot ice hockey season in Cologne is overshadowed by an appointment Zoff around Helene Fischer. Now KEC trainer Uwe Krupp has spoken about the problem.
From Tuesday (March 14, 2023) things will be in the DEL playoff quarterfinals, then the Kölner Haie will start the series against Adler Mannheim. Game 1 increases in Mannheim (7.30 p.m., MagentaSport and in the live ticker at EXPRESS.de). The first home game is on Friday.
But not all games could be played in the Lanxess Arena. Should there be a sixth game on March 26th, Cologne would have to switch to Krefeld. The reason: In Cologne, Helene Fischer (38) gives one of six concerts on the same evening.
Kölner Haie: Uwe Krupp talks about moving to Krefeld
On Monday, March 13, 2023, KEC coach Uwe Krupp (57) spoke about the problem: “I feel a little sorry for the fans. But for us it’s about playing against Mannheim in the playoffs. If it’s up to me, we can also play on the Decksteiner Weiher, with two goals and referees. We’re at a point where we don’t care much about what’s happening outside. We focus on what’s happening on the ice.”
Nevertheless, the fans were already a strong factor for the Haie in the main round. Krupp: “What speaks in favor of the games in the Lanxess Arena is that we have a team that really enjoys playing here. We have a good home record. We have always shown good performances here. That gives us a positive feeling of playing home games. But I also believe that we have to concentrate on Mannheim with the conditions and everything that happens around it in the playoffs – and not look at where we play.
Krupp knows that his team has to win away from home anyway in order to progress: “Mannheim have a home advantage, we also have to play well away from home. Of course we prefer to play in the Lanxess Arena. But if we have to play a game in Krefeld, that’s not the end of the world.”
Take our survey here:
The Yayla Arena in Krefeld has 8,000 seats, Krupp takes a possible move sporty: “With my experience as a national coach: There is a great atmosphere in the hall when it’s full. And I think we’ll get them full of our Cologne fans. I don’t see that as such a big disadvantage, but of course it’s awkward for our fans. I’m a little sorry. But Helene Fischer breathless – that leaves traces.”
And what does Krupp think of Helene? Would he go to a concert? “I’m going to watch them, but I don’t think I would go to the concert. It’s a big name in German show business and Stefan Loecher will have his reasons for letting them perform so often in a row.”
