Release from 26.03.2026

Numerous Firsts in the win2day ICE Hockey League Semifinals

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The semifinals of the win2day ICE Hockey League have been set since Wednesday – and one thing is clear: there are plenty of firsts! For the first time, a team that finished 10th in the regular season, Hydro Fehérvár AV19, has advanced to the semifinals. For the first time, only one team from the regular season’s top four is represented, and for the first time, teams from all four league nations have reached the final four. Moreover, it is already certain that 2026 will crown a first-time champion. Excitement for the start of the semifinals on Sunday couldn’t be higher – watch all games live on Sporteurope.tv.

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Before the playoffs began, few would have expected defending champions EC Red Bull Salzburg to be swept by HC Falkensteiner Pustertal, EC-KAC to fall 2–4 in the series against 10th-placed Hydro Fehérvár AV19, or HCB Südtirol Alperia to exit the playoffs with just one win against Olimpija Ljubljana.

As a result, for the first time in league history, only one team from the regular season’s top four has made it to the semifinals: the Moser Medical Graz99ers. The regular season winners delivered a dominant performance in their quarterfinal series against EC iDM Wärmepumpen VSV (4–0).

Graz is therefore the only Austrian team remaining in the semifinals – and is already guaranteed to be crowned Austrian champion. It is also the first time in league history that only one Austrian team has reached the final four. In 2024 and 2012, there were “only” two Austrian teams; otherwise, there were always at least three.

The level of international representation at the top of the league is greater than ever. For the first time, all four participating countries are represented in the semifinals. Not only can the win2day ICE Hockey League proudly point to having all four nations among the world’s top 16 at the IIHF World Championship – this diversity is now also reflected within the league itself, with all four countries in the top four.

With Hungary, the fourth nation secured its semifinal spot on Wednesday. Fehérvár sensationally eliminated EC-KAC in six games (4–2) and became the first team in league history to advance from 10th place after the regular season to the semifinals. This also confirms that 2026 will crown a first-time champion, as none of the four remaining teams has previously won the title. Only Fehérvár came close in 2022, reaching the final before losing to Salzburg, while in Ljubljana’s case, it was a predecessor club that last made the final in 2008.

The 2026 playoffs have already delivered numerous firsts and historic moments. It remains to be seen what further highlights the semifinals – and ultimately the grand finale of the season – will bring.