The Continental Cup 2018-2019 begins

The new season of European hockey begins today in Budapest, Hungary, with the draw of 2018-2019 Continental Cup: 17 teams will compete from September to January to win the Silver Plate, currently the oldest pan-european club's tournament

The quest for the Plate will begin in Sofia, Bulgaria, at the end of September to finish in January 2019 on the ice of one of the finalists. The winner can also be invited to play in the Champions Hockey League the following season pending formal approval by the CHL board. Last season Yunost Minsk won the Superfinals at home

Here the Groups:

First round, 28-30 September 2018:

Group A in Sofia, Bulgaria: Irbis-Skate Sofia (BUL), Zeytinburnu Istanbul (TUR), Vikingar Akureyri (ISL), HC Bat Yam (ISR).

Second round, 19-21 October 2018:

Group B in Ritten, Italy: Ritten Sport (ITA), MAC Budapest (HUN), Acroni Jesenice (SLO), Crvena Zvezda Belgrade (SRB).

Group C in Riga, Latvia: HC Donbass (UKR), Kurbads Riga (LAT), Txuri Urdin San Sebastian (ESP), Winner Group A.

Third round, November 2018:

Group D in Lyon, France: Arlan Kokshetau (KAZ), HK Gomel (BLR), Lyon Lions (FRA), Winner Group C. 16-18 November 2018.

Group E in Belfast, United Kingdom: Belfast Giants (GBR), GKS Katowice (POL), Medvescak Zagreb (CRO), Winner Group B. Dates TBD

Final, 11-13 January 2019:

Final: The top-two teams of Group D and the top-two teams of Group E will play in the final tournament to be held at the venue of one of the four teams.

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