Image: BWL / Eisenbauer
Finally playoffs in Linz again! For the first time since March 6, 2020, a game in a quarter-final series will take place in the Linz-AG-Eisarena today. The omen is not the worst: three years ago, the Black Wings won 4-3 with an overtime goal by Stefan Gaffal.
In the video: Philipp Lukas after the 0: 2 in Bolzano
Today’s duel is under different circumstances: With the HCB Südtirol, the table leader of the basic round comes to the Linz ice rink. The Bolzano team has the self-confidence from Game 1 (2-0 in Bolzano) and eight away wins in a row. Here in Linz, too, three of the last four games ended with a victory for the foxes.
In the video: Stefan Gaffal before game 2 in Linz
From game 1 in Bolzano, Linz can take away that they were – statistically and visually – superior in two of the three thirds. The people of Linz only slept through the start. They “showed too much respect,” said several players in unison after the game. The extent to which Bolzano has switched back a little in the second half will only be revealed in the next few games in this series.
But even the otherwise very self-critical supporters and officials in Bozen were impressed by the foxes’ game. Bolzano President Dieter Knoll: “That was a very good game. From us, but also from Linz.” Manager Markus Meraner took the same line. And: “It’s great to see that things are looking up again in Linz after two lost years.”
We also spoke briefly about the playoff series against Bolzano with ex-Black Wings striker and manager Christian Perthaler, who spoke to us for an hour on the occasion of the 20th anniversary of Linz’s first championship title.
OÖN blogger Gerd Kragl wrote his thoughts on the quarter-final series in his new blog post in “The rocky road back”:
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I am Pierce Boyd, a driven and ambitious professional working in the news industry. I have been writing for 24 Hours Worlds for over five years, specializing in sports section coverage. During my tenure at the publication, I have built an impressive portfolio of articles that has earned me a reputation as an experienced journalist and content creator.
I am Pierce Boyd, a driven and ambitious professional working in the news industry. I have been writing for 24 Hours Worlds for over five years, specializing in sports section coverage. During my tenure at the publication, I have built an impressive portfolio of articles that has earned me a reputation as an experienced journalist and content creator.
