Companion won’t participate in Continental Cup

15 Oct 2014 | Davide Tuniz

Without funds and players, Ukranian champion won't travel to Angers for Continental Cup semifinals

What was obvious and predictable after the begin of political crisis in Ukraine and the uncertainty of whether there will be a championship or not - at moment just three teams confirmed their participation and the Federation has not yet taken a decision on the fixture, if there will be one - has now become official: Ukranian reigning champion Companion-Naftogaz Kyiv has sent a letter to the Ukraine Federation, saying that for the club is impossible to guarantee the presence in the semi-final group of the Continental Cup, scheduled for November 21-23 in Angers, France. The letter citing the refusal of the main sponsors to fund the team. Based on this letter, the Ice Hockey Federation of Ukraine informed the IIHF, that in the season 2014-2015, champion of Ukraine will not act in the Continental Cup. Soon IIHF will decide on changes to the format of the semifinal round.

"We wrote a letter to our Federation. We would have waited, but we wanted to clarify things with the IIHF as soon as possible. They see what is happening in our country, the championship has not started and is unlikely to start. So they asked if we would participate. They basically want to get an answer before the second round of the Continental Cup that starts this Friday. We spin out as long as possible. On the one hand, to find a sponsor is not so easy, but the needed amount is not much. Probably it's impossible to feed the team throughout the season, but maybe for a short period....but it did not happen, it's a pity of course. We worked hard to achieve this goal, won the right to play against some of best european clubs, but ... It's not the worst thing that is happening in our country. If there was a good team, you would have to go and play. Well, the roster we have gathered now, with all due respect to the guys, is totally inadequate to deal with a competition of this level. Some players from last season are gone, someone stay and play in the Night Hockey League, (the traditional Kyiv amateur league) while others hang up the skates. Now I hope that all this will not last and next season will be better. Everything is closed, is falling apart. A start is now difficult to imagine" Companion Naftogaz' administrator Stanislav Vernikov said to http://xsport.ua