German ice hockey league: emotional finals of the polar bears: “Tobi is always with us”

Pure emotions are normal in a final duel for the German ice hockey championship, but the emotional world at the Eisbären Berlin is more intense this time than ever. The tragic loss of the popular team -mate Tobias Eder, who died at the end of the consequences of cancer at the end of January, not only accompanies the players in the games against the Cologne sharks. Eder is omnipresent.

“This is of course a very difficult story. But Tobi is not gone, Tobi is still there,” said Managing Director Thomas Bothstede on Monday after the impressive 7-0 victory of the Berliners in the third final game. “We do everything we do with Tobi.”

Everywhere memories of Eder

In fact, the memory of the former teammate is constantly present. Already at the Berlin train stations, screens announce that the polar bears are fighting for the title “with Tobi”. At the arena, fresh candles will continue to be set up on the memorial set up after his death.

Eder also remains present for the team. His jersey hangs in the cabin, his locker remained unaffected. “Everything is still there, nothing has been changed,” said head coach Serge Aubin. “Tobi is still with us. We think of him every day. It is an extra motivation. We want to make him proud. He should know that we do our absolutely best.”

Trainer has a smile on his lips at “Viva La Vida”

So all players go on the ice to warm up with jerseys who wear Eder’s jersey number 22. The presentation of the team before the game ends with Eder’s picture on the video dibe. The fans then chant his name like any other professional.

After the kick -off there are other moments of souvenir: Even with the furious 7-0 on Monday, after the first goal of the Berlin Eder’s favorite song “Viva La Vida” from the band Coldplay, as the team wanted after his death. In the 22nd minute of the game, the spectators rose to “Tobi Eder” response. “He was a great personality. When we hear his name or the song, the memories make us smile,” said coach Aubin.

However, managing director Bothstede cannot obscure all of this for the dark reality. “If you have to drive with an entire club to the funeral of a 26-year-old person who you had to do by every day, which was dear to your heart, the part of the polar bear family was, then there is nothing positive,” he emphasized.

Eisbear boss fears emotional “hole” after the end of the season

In the final duel with Cologne, the polar bears lead 2-1, the favorite in the best-of-Seven series only requires two victories for successful title defense. “I think we would exchange every trophy, every final if Tobi were actually still there in person,” said Bothstede.

He is aware of how critical the situation was immediately after the death of the professional. “There are only two options: In such a situation, an entire club can collapse – at least sporty. That can tear the ground under your feet that nothing works anymore,” he said. “Or, you are even closer together. And that happened there.”

So the managing director is proud of how the players, employees and fans have so far dealt with the difficult situation. But he also knows that she is by no means exhausted. “No matter how the season ends: when you come to rest, it will be violent again,” said Bothstede. “I think many of us and I personally fall into a hole again. Because you really realize that Tobi is actually no longer there as a person.”