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Swiss Champions Cup teams believe they are the underdogs — 19.09.2013The Swiss champions Alligator Malans (men) and piranha chur (women) are looking forward to the Champions Cup 2013 in Tampere with mixed feelings. They both hope to reach the semi-final. For the first time, both Swiss champions are based in the south-eastern part of Switzerland, more precise in the famous holiday region Grison. Alligator Malans won the title for the fifth time in their club history, piranha Chur for the third time. As close as both teams are located geographically, as different the development of the teams has been after reaching the Champions Cup: While Alligator Malans could realise some good transfers (Vojtech Skalik, Tommi Aro) and keep it´s stars (Lauri Kapanen, Martin Ostransky), Piranha saw half of it´s team leave. Both teams have Finnish head coaches: Akseli Ahtiainen (Alligator Malans) and Harri Lind (Piranha Chur). For both the upcoming Champions Cup in Tampere is their first. But not for their clubs. Alligator participated the last time in Varberg (SWE) in 2007 and Piranha participated last year in Umeå where they lost in the semi-final against IKSU. - We have a new, young team, which has to find itself first. But we try to be ready from the very first minute, says Piranha coach Aldo Peng, who is together with Swiss floorball legend Natalie Stadelmann, assisting the new head coach Harri Lind. With Mirca Anderegg (to Classic), Natalie Stadelmann (resignation) and Corin Rüttimann (to Endre) three very important players have left Piranha Chur. The stars of the current team are the Finnish national team defenders Tiia Ukkonen and Mia Karjalainen as well as the Swiss national team players Flurina Marti and Sonja Putzi. Around these experienced players, the team has been completed with a lot of young players. - Our main goal is to gain experience of international top games. We’re taking it step by step, adds coach Peng. Will the support of the fans help Alligator Malans? Quite similar is the atmosphere with Alligator Malans. Especially the fans are speaking of the Champions Cup. Around 40 of them are going to support their team in Finland. Last time Alligator reached the semi-final, realistic goal for this year’s Cup too. - We’re concentrating on the first game against Lielvarde, says head coach Akseli Ahtiainen. With a victory over the latvian EFC-winner, Alligator would take a big step to the semi-final. But there, the very strong opponent, the Swedish champion Falun, would await Malans. - We’re not the favourite team, Classic or Falun will win the tournament, Ahtiainen predicts. However, Ahtiainen has at least won one medal even before the new season has started. At the Swiss orienteering championships he won the silver medal in his category (40+). And in August he was honoured “Coach of the Year” of the Swiss National League for the second time in a row. Source & photos: www.swissunihockey.ch Champions Cup partners:       |
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