Who will be the twelfth team in the Oberliga Süd? This question concerns those responsible in planning for the next season.
Peiting - It has been clear since last week that ERC Sonthofen will not compete in the Ice Hockey Oberliga Süd in the coming season. The insolvency proceedings were opened via Spielbetriebsgesellschaft mbH, through which the "Bulls" organized participation in the Oberliga. According to the DEB statutes, this precludes a start in Germany's third-highest ice hockey division. Sonthofen will probably start in the Bayernliga next season. In the fourth league there would be 18 teams, while the upper league south would only consist of eleven teams. But it shouldn't stop there.
"It is very important that we get an even number of teams together," says Peter Gast, Managing Director of EC Peiting. Otherwise, a team would always be free of play. "It gets you out of rhythm," says Gast. The managing director is optimistic that there will be a twelfth club for the Oberliga Süd. The chances are currently the best for TEV Miesbach, who finished the gear round in second place.
Oberliga should continue to grow in the future
The German Ice Hockey Federation (DEB) had offered the Miesbachers - and also other Bayern league teams - promotion. At the TEV, a lot depends on the promise of funding for an energetic renovation of the ice stadium. If, despite the current situation surrounding the corona pandemic, these are confirmed in writing, those responsible for the TEV will consider starting a league higher, according to the guest. Other Bayern league teams have already canceled the DEB.
One thing is already clear for the coming season. There will be no gearing round between the Oberliga and Bayernliga. "No season will be relegated from the top division next season," says Gast, who works closely with the league management. "Our goal is to get 14 Oberliga teams." Then a double round with a second leg can be played. "That would be the optimal mode," says the ECP managing director. In this way, each team would have enough games to have financial planning security. "Because everyone has now seen that you cannot calculate with the play-offs," said Gast.
Surprising request from Austrian clubs
Teams from Austria had taken a completely different approach to the composition of the league. The VEU Feldkirch, the Zeller Eisbären and the Adler Kitzbühel could imagine a start in the Oberliga according to Austrian media. The reason is the uncertain future of the second-rate Alps Hockey League (AHL). This is made up of teams from Austria, Italy and Slovenia. "Because of the large distances, the clubs already have high travel costs," says Gast. "The Corona pandemic will make it twice as difficult for the league to come about."
The example of the Tilburg Trappers shows that it works to integrate a foreign team into the top division. The Dutch have been competing in the German Northern Relay since the 2015/2016 season - and with great success. During this time they have been crowned champions of the Oberliga three times. However, Tilburg is not allowed to upgrade as a foreign team. However, the DEB is still reluctant to change leagues among the Austrians. DEB Vice President Marc Hindelang made it clear in an interview with the specialist magazine "Hockey News": "This is currently not an issue for us." The goal is still to find successors from the Bayernliga for the Oberliga Süd. In addition, so far, it has only been a request from the clubs, Gast clarifies. “It's a matter between the national associations. It was the same with the Tilburg Trappers back then. ”
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