The amateur sport is taking a compulsory break due to the increase in the corona numbers.
The ice hockey professionals of the Tölzer Löwen, on the other hand, will begin the DEL 2 season as planned on November 6th - with ghost games if necessary.
Bad Tölz - The amateur athletes have to take a compulsory break, the Tölzer Lions start the season: Despite the partial lockdown ordered by the federal government, the second division ice hockey teams want to start the new DEL 2 season as planned on Friday, November 6th . If necessary, even without spectators: professional sport can take place, but only without paying fans. Löwen boss Christian Donbeck still hopes for an exception or state support for the impending loss of income. And he expresses a lack of understanding about the measures decided in spite of the sophisticated hygiene concepts and months of preparation.
"I cannot understand how one can be so poorly prepared for the second wave, which is not surprising," rumbles the managing director of the Tölzer Eissport-Gesellschaft.
Politicians “did not even begin to create structures with the help of which it is possible to live with the virus.” The professional sport has done its homework against it.
“We have a hygiene concept with all the trimmings, the health department has confirmed that it works, that we might even be able to allow up to 2000 spectators, and now everything will be shut down anyway?
Incredible."
Tölzer Löwen are sticking to the start of the season on November 6th
He lacks the justification that ice hockey games should contribute to the spread of the virus despite distance rules, contact tracking, mask requirement, ventilation or several separate entrances and exits.
“You would have to close every train station, every hardware store.
There are also a lot of people in a small space - without as many rules as we have them. "
A short-term switch with the DEL2 colleagues reinforced the intention to perceive the season opener.
However, it is impossible for a number of clubs - and certainly for the Tölzer - to get through the season without income from the spectators.
That's why Donbeck is still hoping for easing.
Otherwise he would have to draw conclusions: "If we get a negative decision from the health department that is unfounded, we will take action," assures Donbeck.
Otherwise he would still have the compensation from the federal government's sport stimulus package, from which a large part of the loss of income is to be reimbursed.
Donbeck is confident that he will get this money.
“We submitted the documents and heard nothing negative.
The support would help us. ”The only problem is: The money will only be distributed until the end of the year.
“After all, compensation of up to 75 percent has now been promised for companies,” says Donbeck.
But there is a lot of uncertainty.
And he would like to be able to rely on it.
"We have to plan too."
In the event that the DEL 2 home games - until December or even longer - take place in front of empty stands, Donbeck is striving to upgrade the broadcasting via Sprade TV.
"Better networks, we will have to invest a few euros."
Last test game with spectators
The last preparation game on Saturday (5 p.m.) against EV Landshut will - as of now - take place in front of spectators.
The start of the season even without it.
Nevertheless, for example, DEL2 managing director René Rudorisch is happy that it can be played at all.
“That is not something that can be taken for granted, especially when it comes to our clubs' dependence on spectator income.
Nevertheless, we see the start as important, in terms of the sport, but above all for our numerous players and families. "
