Continental Cup, 1st Round

[Carpo]

Although it's not of direct interest to the blaze, thought people on here might be interested to know that today see's the start of the Continental Cup, 1st Round (Blaze having a bye to round 2 as we all know).

Group A sees:
Steaua Bucharest – ROM (organizer)
KHL Medvescak – CRO
Red Star Belgrade – SCG

and Group B sees:
Polis Akademisi – TUR (organizer)
CH Jaca – ESP
Hapoel Ganey – ISR
Slavia Sofia – BUL

The winner of Group A will join, HK Riga 2000, GKS Tychy and Energija Elektrenai in Group C.

The winner of Group B will join Torpedo Ust-Kamenogorsk, Sokol Kiev and HC Junost Minsk in group E.

===

FULL TOURNAMENT GROUPINGS

EDIT: Teams in Italics indicate group winner.

First Round
23-25 September

Group A
Steaua Bucharest – ROM (organizer)
KHL Medvescak – CRO
Red Star Belgrade – SCG

Group B
Polis Akademisi – TUR (organizer)
CH Jaca – ESP
Hapoel Ganey – ISR
Slavia Sofia – BUL

Second Round
14-16 October

Group C
Energija Elektrenai – LTU (organizer)
GKS Tychy – POL
HK Riga 2000 – LAT
Steaua Bucharest – ROM

Group D
Grenoble – FRA (organizer)
Coventry Blaze – GBR
Amstel Tigers – NED
Herning Blue Fox – DEN

Group E
HC Junost Minsk – BLR (organizer)
Sokol Kiev – UKR
Torpedo Ust-Kamenogorsk – KAZ
CH Jaca – ESP

Third Round
18-20 November

Group F
HK Acroni Jesenice - SLO (organizer)
Winner "C"
Winner "D"
Winner "E"

Super Final
13-15 January 2006

Alba Volan Szekesfehervar – HUN
Lada Togliatti – RUS
ZSC Lions Zurich – SUI
Winner "F"

[Claret & Blue Army]

Thanks Carpo. Nice to know what's in store for us after Grenoble ;D

[Carpo]

Also of interest, a guide to British Teams performances in the Conti Cup since the competitions formation in 1997.

*1997: No teams entered

*#1998: Cardiff Devils, entered at 2nd round, eliminated at 2nd round.

*1999: Cardiff Devils, entered at 2nd round, eliminated at 2nd round.
Nottingham Panthers, entered at 2nd round, eliminated at 2nd round.
Sheffield Steelers, entered at 2nd round, eliminated at 2nd round.

2000: London Knights, entered at 3rd round, Overall runners-up in SuperFinal.

2001: London Knights, entered at 3rd round, eliminated at 3rd round.
Sheffield Steelers, entered at 2nd round, eliminated at 2nd round.

2002: Ayr Scottish Eagles, entered at 2nd, won 2nd round but withdrew from competition as they folded.
Belfast Giants entered at 3rd round and won it, then finished 6th overall in knockout stage.

2003: No teams entered.

2004: Nottingham Panthers, entered at 2nd, eliminated at 2nd round.

* Manchester Storm represented the UK in the European Hockey League
# Ayr Scottish Eagles represented the UK in the European Hockey League

[Claret & Blue Army]

Why were 3 teams entered in 1999?


Seems like history is against us

[Carpo]

Back in ye olden days, (well 6 years ago), the Conti cup was a MASSIVE comeptition.

As you can see this year it was: (all groups of 4)

First Round: 2 groups
Second Round: 3 groups
Third Round: 1 group
SuperFinal: 1 group

back in 1999 it was:

First Round: 6 groups
Second Round: 6 groups
Third Round: 3 groups
SuperFinal: 1 group

Why? Well basically the Finn's and the Swedes complained over TV rights/money and withdrew from the bigger competition the European Hockey League. Without the money that generated the knock on effect was to seriously scale back the conti cup.

Oh and to answer your question Cheif, both Sheffield and Cardiff hosted groups.

[Lee Francis]

Anyone know where i can find results or stats to do with these first round games..??

I've tried iihf.com but they only have last years superfinal (as far as i can see)

[Carpo]

Traditionally, the reporting for results of the 1st round is very very poor, something will probably be put up on the IIHF site Monday, Tuesday ish.

[Lee Francis]

Ok, Cheers Carpo..................

[Carpo]

First Round (23-25 September)

Group A (in Bucharest, ROM)
Steaua Bucharest – ROM (organizer)
KHL Medvescak – CRO
Crvena Zvezda Belgrade – SCG
Results:
23 September: Medvescak – Crvena Zvezda 5-1
24 September: Steaua Bucharest – Medvescak 5-2
25 September: Steaua Bucharest – Crvena Zvezda 8-3
Final standing: Steaua 4 points, Medvescak 2, Crvena Zvezda 0.
++ Steaua Bucharest qualified for Group C.

Group B (in Ankara, TUR)
Polis Akademisi – TUR (organizer)
CH Jaca – ESP
Hapoel Ganey – ISR
Slavia Sofia – BUL
Results:
23 September: CH Jaca – Slavia Sofia 5-2
23 September: Polis Akademisi – Hapoel Ganei-Aviv 12-3
24 September: Hapoel Ganei-Aviv – CH Jaca 2-13
24 September: Slavia Sofia – Polis Akademisi 3-5
25 September: Hapoel Ganei-Aviv – Slavia Sofia 0-5 (Forfeit)
25 September: Polis Akademisi – CH Jaca 4-7
Final standing: CH Jaca 6 points, Polis A. 4, Slavia 2, Hapoel 0.
++ CH Jaca qualified for Group E.

I have edited my original post to reflect the qualifiers.

[Lee Francis]

Looking at the group that CH Jaca have been drawn in now, i fear that they may be thumped quite a lot.

Still, fair play to the Spaniards on qualifying.........