Before the decisive group game in the Champions Hockey League (CHL), Bremerhaven coach Thomas Popiesch criticized the German ice hockey league's schedule.
The background is that his Fischtown Pinguins are also challenged in the DEL two days before and two days after their important international appearance against top Czech club Sparta Prague on Tuesday (7 p.m.).
“It couldn't be more stupid.
This is a provocation, "said Popiesch of the" Nordsee-Zeitung "(Tuesday) from Bremerhaven.
“For me it is catastrophic, as is planned in the DEL.
It's disrespectful.
It has been shown from the beginning: The DEL does not care that the CHL gets to a higher level.
They don't care, that's why we can't get a millimeter further. "
The Bremerhaven-based company can qualify for the round of 16 on Tuesday evening with a victory over Prague in their first Champions League participation.
However, they only played on Sunday in the domestic league against the Grizzlys Wolfsburg (4: 3) and have to compete again on Thursday at the Düsseldorfer EG.
The Pinguins play a total of 13 competitive games in October.