Groups for EWCC announced

18 Jul 2011 | Fredrik Pålsson

The IIHF has announced the groups for the 2011/2012 edition of the European Women's Championship Cup. Just like last year, the tournament will be played with three rounds of group stages.

The IIHF European Women's Championship Cup will be played with the same format as last year with three rounds. The first round will be played at the end of October with four teams in four groups. Four teams are seeded: HPK Hämeenlinna (Finland), ZSC Lions (Switzerland), Aisulu Almaty (Kazakhstan) and Torpedo Moscow Region (Russia). Those teams are directly qualified for the second round, where the four seeded teams and the four groups winners from the first round will play in two groups. The two best teams of each of the groups in the second round will play in the final tournament at the end of Febrary 2012.

20 teams from 20 different countries participate in the EWCC. Sweden is the only top country that doesn't have a participating team in the tournament.

First round, October 28 to 30, 2011:

Group A: Bolzano Eagles (ITA), ESC Planegg (GER), Polonia Bytom (POL, host), Valladolid Panteras (ESP).

Group B: Pantera Minsk (BLR), Grenoble Brûleurs de Loups (FRA), SC Miercurea Ciuc (ROU, host), Milenyum Ankara (TUR).

Group C: Sparta Sarpsborg (NOR), Laima Riga (LAT, host), Herlev Hornets (DEN), Sheffield Shadows (GBR).

Group D: Slavia Prague (CZE), Sabres Vienna (AUT), Budapest Stars (HUN), HC Spisska Nova Ves (SVK, host).

Second round, December 2 to 4, 2011:

Group E: HPK Hämeenlinna (FIN, host), Aisulu Almaty (KAZ), Winner Group A, Winner Group D.

Group F: ZSC Lions Zurich (SUI), Tornado Moscow Region (RUS), Winner Group B, Winner Group C. Host: TBD.

Final Tournament, February 24 to 26, 2012:

The best two teams of each second-round group advance to the final tournament. The host will be determined after the second round.