Innsbruck applied to join Serie A

HC Tiroler Innsbruck was one of EBEL's founding clubs in 2000 but in 2008 the team voluntarily left the Austrian elite league due to financial problems choosing to partecipate in less expensive Nationalliga (Austrian second division). But now long-haul president Günther Hanschitz, believes the team and fans need new challenges: so he officially submitted an application to join Italian Serie A next season.

The Austrain Federation already gave its blessing to the project through vice-president Peter Schramm statement: 'We are obviously sad at the thought that we will loose a traditional team as Innsbruck but we understand the impossibility to enter in EBEL, so if Italian teams and the Federation can agree...'

In less then two hours by car, Innsbruck can reach traditional South Tyrol places like Bruneck (Brunico), Sterzing (Vipiteno), Ritten (Renon) and of course Bozen (Bolzano), the capital of Italian South Tyrol, ensuring several gainful local derbies.

On Innsbruck website, Hanschitz explains the reason of this decision:

"The reasons are quite simple: in last three years we financially restored the budget and now we just want to reach a new level. We can't financially compete with teams like Vienna, Salzburg and Klagenfurt. And with our geographical position at country's extreme western travel costs would be huge for us. So Italy offers us an excellent alternative. We will play many regional derbies and also the transfers would be much more affordable for us.'

Which are the reactions?
'It as never happened before that an historical club is thinking of changing to a different league. But nowadays enter into EBEL is an impossible goal for us. The reactions were quite positive'

How you'll change the team?
'We want to keep the Tyrolean players' base with some imports' addition. This project can be implemented better in Serie A than in the EBEL. With another 3 or 4 imports we would have a competitive team.

When will a decision officially be taken?
"In the coming days or next week there will be further meetings. Firstly we will meet Vice-President of the Austrian Federation and then the President of the Italian one. We will see... I hope they will get a positive signal. "

Which assessment can you make after three years in Nationalliga?
"We are financially back on a solid foundation to support us and now we want to take a step forward. This is unfortunately no longer possible in Nationalliga. But these three years have been financially good for us. We are hoping for a new challenge.'

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