Genève-Servette Hockey Club is performing impressively in the Champions Hockey League while facing challenges in the domestic league.
Genève-Servette Hockey Club is showing impressive form in the Champions Hockey League while struggling with consistency in the domestic National League. Geneva coach Jan Cadieux cannot explain the discrepancy, although he emphasizes that nothing has been decided yet. After a convincing 5-0 win in the first leg of the round of 16 against Lausanne, Servette are on the verge of advancing to the quarter-finals of the Champions Hockey League.
Despite the successes in Europe, the question remains as to why Servette has not been able to repeat these performances in the national championship. In the Swiss league, the team won only one of its last six games before the national team break and is currently in 13th place. Cadieux admits that he has no explanation for this situation and that it was already difficult to break the trend last season.
The burden of the European Cup does not only seem to affect Servette. Other Swiss teams playing in the Champions League are also struggling in the domestic league. Last season, the Swiss participants finished at the bottom of the league and only Biel made it to the play-offs, but failed early on.
Nevertheless, the Champions Hockey League could be a financial gain for Servette. An away game close to Geneva, like the one against Lausanne, saves costs and fills the arena. Geneva's sports director Marc Gautschi emphasizes the advantages of the short journey and the possibility of filling the Les Vernets Hall to capacity.
In sporting terms, the team has other priorities. Geneva's sports director Gautschi emphasizes that Swiss clubs are capable of winning the Champions Hockey League, which underlines the quality of the league. The recent win in Lausanne was not only a victory, but also a sign of the improving form of goalie Antti Raanta, who is back to his best after an injury layoff. Raanta himself is optimistic that the team will also improve in the league and hopes to increase his personal statistics.
SDA
