2.Bundesliga keeps up fight for DEL II

08 Jun 2013 | Krišjānis Koļesņičenkovs

The 2.Bundesliga clubs dont fall back in line, keep up fight with DEB

As we came to an end of May, the DEB made it very clear to the clubs from 2.Bundesliga that they will not under any circumstance support the clubs breaking away from the DEB and forming a DEL II. At the end, the DEB gave the clubs one last final chance to submit their paperwork on 7.June and play the 2013/2014 season under the leadership of the DEB or be classified unaffiliated organizations because they lack the legal connection to the DEB and thus to the IIHF as well. (see our news)

Leading up to that time, the 2.Bundesliga clubs kept quiet, not saying a word on what they plan to do all the while fan clubs from both the ESBG and the DEL sent an open letter to DEB President Uwe Harnos to atleast consider the idea of a DEL II, to allow the league to run until the end of the current DEL contract that expires in 2018. If the league is a success, they could stay under the DEL, if it dosnt do the job is should in supporting German ice hockey as a whole, the league would break up and go back under the DEB. However, the DEB responded to the letter, never really saying anything of importance and never really addressing the questions and concerns the fan clubs have brought up. Today, 7.June the DEB ultimatum has now come and pass, the 2.Bundesliga clubs have said they will not go back under the DEB and will keep on their fight to make the DEL II. When attempted to be reach for comment on the situation, Uwe Harnos had no comment, all he said was that the DEB would be having a meeting on Tuesday to discuss the next steps to take.

Only SC Riessersee and ESV Kaufbeuren are not in the fight for the DEL II, they have submitted their paperwork for the 2.Bundesliga under the leadership of the DEB. Hannover Scorpions who gave up their licence to SERC 04 Wild Wings for DEL has applied to join Oberliga Nord, a step below the 2.Bundesliga. Former DEL clubs Frankfurt (currently named Löwen Frankfurt) and Kassel Huskies (both clubs are currently in Oberliga due to financial reasons of years past) have already come out and said if anybody from DEL II comes calling, they will jump at the opportunity to join.