WC: 2024 IIHF Division II

[PanniniClaus]

Not sure how the under dog Croats are doing it but they are up 3-0 in the third and lead 27-16 in shots.

 

[trust no one]

Next year in Division 1B Croatia will have five strong friendly games in order to prepare themselves for Division 2A in 2026.

 

[HungryFrank]

What are you talking about, I know Croatian league is purely amateur one, so I am wondering what he ment with "getting more profesional".

Sisak will play in Alps league next season

 

[Eye of Ra]

Next year in Division 1B Croatia will have five strong friendly games in order to prepare themselves for Division 2A in 2026.

you are just jealous that Serbia dont have a Rendulic and Katic level player.

 

[HungryFrank]

What is this reality we live in: Ranković with less than 95% saves against Croatia and legend of European hockey Mirko Đumić (that plays in Poland!) didn't score a goal
/s

I'm surprised how mature Croatia played. Hat tip to them. How D1B teams play, they might even stay up

 

[trust no one]

you are just jealous that Serbia dont have a Rendulic and Katic level player.

Again, I am not Serbian....
I just expressed my opinion that Croatia is overrated, nothing more.

 

[Eye of Ra]

Again, I am not Serbian....
I just expressed my opinion that Croatia is overrated, nothing more.

Mirko Đumić is overrated, didn't score a goal. And he cant get contract in a better league than PLH (which is not even top 10 leauge in the world).

 

[Mrzli]

I hope that @trust no one is not too angry, as it seems that overrated Croatia got lucky again, by barely scraping a 3:0 win in Serbia and having more SOG.

As for Croatian club hockey, I didn't necessarily mean that the league got better, but clubs surely did. League still has only 4 clubs, but it certainly got more interesting.

All of our clubs played again in IHL league (Slovenia, Croatia, Serbia), with both Sisak and Zagreb reaching semifinals.

Sisak, with its newish (6 years) arena has just won its second title in Croatia and got accepted in Alps hockey league.

Medveščak rose from the ashes of financial ruins after ludicrous KHL stint and with new leadership just opened a new indoor ice rink. First in Zagreb after almost 40 years. It's probable that they will play EBEL (ICE league) once again, cca 5 years from now maybe.

Zagreb and Mladost are combining their good academy players and veterans, hopefully they should maintain that healthy level and be competitive.

All in all, good year. Hopefully next one in IB will be too, Estonia or Spain are definitely not unbeatable.

 

[trust no one]

Medveščak rose from the ashes of financial ruins after ludicrous KHL stint and with new leadership just opened a new indoor ice rink. First in Zagreb after almost 40 years. It's probable that they will play EBEL (ICE league) once again, cca 5 years from now maybe.

It's more likely Dinamo Zagreb will win Europa/Conference league within five years than they will play EBEL. Repairing of Dom Sportova still didn't start, and since it's going to be very sensitive re-construction, God knows when it will be finished.
New indoor ice rink is nothing more than baloon covered stall, with non-Olympic dimensions and has "capacity" for 500 people.
There is new law in the making, where betting/casino companies won't be allowed to be sponsors/partners of sport clubs. That is going to be big blow for Medveščak, since Admiral is their main partner.

 

[Mrzli]

Oh, so you are informed. Still angry, but informed.

Well, we'll see. Renovation of Dom sportova won't last 5 years, that's for sure.

And losing one sponsor (however far and improbable that law is from now, especially because football league - which is sacred, is sponsored by SuperSport) won't end Medveščak, as they still have the brand capacity for reaching those EBEL level finances from sponsors.

No matter how that makes you feel, the point still stands - Croatian hockey is growing compared to the state 5 years ago.

 

[HungryFrank]

Well, we'll see. Renovation of Dom sportova won't last 5 years, that's for sure.

And losing one sponsor (however far and improbable that law is from now, especially because football league - which is sacred, is sponsored by SuperSport) won't end Medveščak, as they still have the brand capacity for reaching those EBEL level finances from sponsors.

hoping for ICEHL is very optimistic. I doubt that local government in Zagreb is too keen on providing infrastructure for obscure sports like ice hockey. From financial perspective, I'm also not that optimistic, but we'll see.

What I most certainly find positive is that Croatian hockey players take matters into their own hands and go abroad if they can't develop at home and now teams also put in effort.

Medvescak can afford to build a ice rink (which is gold because they don't depend on allocation of scarce ice), Sisak has massive support from local government that got them the rink and now even sponsors, but other teams also try.

First step is making Sisak a stable AlpsHL team which won't be easy and rebooting ice hockey in Zagreb.

 

[Mrzli]

I don't get the point about Zagreb local government not providing infrastructure?

Infrastructure is already there. Dom sportova (6k) and Arena Zagreb (15k) already exist and were used without any problem throughout the years in EBEL and KHL.

Granted, Dom sportova needs a renovation, but it's already scheduled. And it's primarily an ice rink, so it would certainly not be weird for it to be again used for ice hockey.

Sure, I have maybe put a too optimistic prognosis (I thought about writing 10 year period), but Medveščak is for sure planning to go to either AHL or ICE in the near-to-mid future, no matter how low are they still compared to 15 years ago. Alps league in 5, then ICE in 10 would be ideal. But that's it, no megalomaniac ideas like KHL this time...

Sisak will have to fight very hard to be competitive in Alps League, that will be interesting to watch.

In that sense, I'm more worried about them making it financially longterm then Medveščak. Sisak loves hockey, but it's a small city. Medveščak still has public (Zagreb and even national) value and if the circumstances are right, would once again draw attendances and sponsors.

 

[trust no one]

In that sense, I'm more worried about them making it financially longterm then Medveščak. Sisak loves hockey, but it's a small city. Medveščak still has public (Zagreb and even national) value and if the circumstances are right, would once again draw attendances and sponsors.

Interesting that you are more worried about Sisak then Medveščak, let me remind you that Medveščak suffered THREE bankrupcies within 10 years. First one forced them to go for russian money in the KHL, 2nd one returned them to EBEL and 3rd one didn't allow them to finish season there.
Btw Sisak's budget for 24/25 is secured.

 

[Mrzli]

Yes, but it would all could have been avoided if they just strived for more natural growth. Regarding players, venues, leagues, marketing. New ladership already made something far more important than all those years in EBEL - new ice rink.

But who knows what the future brings.

I don't know if it came up differently, but Sisak has my full support. They are deservedly the best Croatian club today and are led responsibly and with passion. Still, smaller market, fast growth in last couple of years. I hope it will go smoothly.

 

[carjackmalone]

What would it cost to build 500 seat ice rinks in say Varazdin or Cakovec maybe Osijek?

That would be a start of a foundation

Are there EU Subsidies for sport’s infrastructure?

 

[HungryFrank]

What would it cost to build 500 seat ice rinks in say Varazdin or Cakovec maybe Osijek?

That would be a start of a foundation

Are there EU Subsidies for sport’s infrastructure?

I assume the same applies for those cities: there are other more popular sports that all have needs. Local government barely handles the existing clubs, if new came it would be even worse for them. I don't agree with that mindset, but that's how it usually goes.

I don't get the point about Zagreb local government not providing infrastructure?

Infrastructure is already there. Dom sportova (6k) and Arena Zagreb (15k) already exist and were used without any problem throughout the years in EBEL and KHL.

Dom Sportova still isn't available and I'd have to see it get fixed to believe it. There was also a rumour that handball team will get it. With all that, I have my doubts. Arena Zagreb won't be used regularily for ICEHL for sure.
Having Dom Sportova, Admiral Ice Dome and Velesajam (requires massive repairs) would be a dream come true for hockey in Zagreb and dreams tend to not get true (at least in that part of Europe)

I wouldn't mind being wrong here one bit

 

[SoundAndFury]

I must say I'm truly thankful to trust no one for starting the pissing contest that turned into a very fruitful discussion I enjoyed reading.

Regarding the result, bottom-3 teams in 1B are so terrible every team promoted has a chance. Hell, Serbia got a win last year against a much stronger field so if things remain as they stand, Croatia would definitely have a fighting chance in 1B. I would even go as far as saying relegation would be rather unlikely.

 

[trust no one]

I assume the same applies for those cities: there are other more popular sports that all have needs.

Exactly what needs ? What Osijek doesn't have for all other (team) sports already ? They have handball hall, hall for basketball, volleyball, they have pool(s) for waterpollo.
https://www.osijek.hr/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/STRATEGIJA-RAZVOJA-SPORTA-GRADA-OSIJEKA_nacrt.pdf page 337. Surprise

 

[FrHockeyFan]

Just had a look at what's going on in Group B and... congrats to Chinese Taipei!!!

 

[FrHockeyFan]

Belgium rallies a 2-goal deficit after 8:30 of play against Georgia to win it 4-2 and secure promotion to D2A.

 

[Albatros]

Just had a look at what's going on in Group B and... congrats to Chinese Taipei!!!

Turkey Türkiye had some weak ass results, didn't feel like their relegation was inevitable but alas.

 

[HungryFrank]

Exactly what needs ? What Osijek doesn't have for all other (team) sports already ? They have handball hall, hall for basketball, volleyball, they have pool(s) for waterpollo.
https://www.osijek.hr/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/STRATEGIJA-RAZVOJA-SPORTA-GRADA-OSIJEKA_nacrt.pdf page 337. Surprise

I was just sharing personal experience from living in a city similar to Varaždin or Čakovec. I didn't say my experience for sure applies to every city that is mentioned. There are always exceptions.

Ice hockey rink in Osijek would be awesome, but let's see what actually happens