European Leagues Thread

[Alessandro]

Russian U18 team for the World Championships has been replaced entirely due to a doping scandal.

A circus. The WADA is a circus itself, the way the RIHF is dealing with the thing is another circus...

IMO it seems to me the problem is clearly the doping being acceptable
The old ways are no longer acceptable; I think it's time to stop blaming/claiming persecution/etc and instead clean things up

This is not doping. Steroids are doping. Meldonium is like codein or advil, I just don't like how now it is seen like Russians are all narcomans and other countries just drink tap water

[nino33]

This is not doping. Steroids are doping. Meldonium is like codein or advil

I think you're misinformed...in NA codein/advil are readily available over-the-counter pain medications, while meldonium is a heart medication that is not approved and is illegal.

I just don't like how now it is seen like Russians are all narcomans and other countries just drink tap water

I think that's because #1 there was ample warning meldonium was banned/testing was coming and #2 this has affected the Russian volleyball team, curling team, and now hockey team (along with Sharapova) - any other Nations experiencing similar issues?

The situation is clear: politics invaded sports even more than before.
Everyone in Russian hockey stopped using meldonium on november 2nd, so this is a circus.

So why did Russian officials pull the U18 team?

[Thomaxius]

Well, despite all the facts (let's call them that, even if someone doesn't agree), one can still pull the "It's all just western propaganda" and "the WADA is rotten and corrupt, ran by americans" -cards on those arguments until athletes from other countries burn, so I'm not going to throw more gasoline into the flames. But really sad in a way that 17-18 olds (probably younger) aswell are pumped full of doping like that.*

*..not saying It's just the Russians.

[Alessandro]

This is not doping. Steroids are doping. Meldonium is like codein or advil

I think you're misinformed...in NA codein/advil are readily available over-the-counter pain medications, while meldonium is a heart medication that is not approved and is illegal.

Meldonium is an over-the-counter drug as well. It's definitely not illegal and it is widely used in the normal population as a cardioprotector (i hope it's an english word).

The situation is clear: politics invaded sports even more than before.
Everyone in Russian hockey stopped using meldonium on november 2nd, so this is a circus.

So why did Russian officials pull the U18 team?

Because it allegedly takes a lot of time to definitely get out of the body. Most of the players allegedly had still it in the body according to internal controls.
Seriously, this drug is not allowed since January 1st and you think that high-profile athletes keep on taking it hoping not to get caught? You understand yourself that it's not very likely...

[Alessandro]

But really sad in a way that 17-18 olds (probably younger) aswell are pumped full of doping like that.*

It's a fine line between doping and vitamins/proteins/supplements

[nino33]

Meldonium is an over-the-counter drug as well. It's definitely not illegal and it is widely used in the normal population as a cardioprotector (i hope it's an english word).

You're wrong, as meldonium has never been approved for use in North America and Western Europe (and I said North America).....meldonium's a heart/stroke medication, not something you take for a headache!

you think that high-profile athletes keep on taking it hoping not to get caught?

Yes I do, as even when caught it's denial/blame/misdirect + I think it systemic, so hard to change (especially when denying/blaming/misdirecting is the response)

It's a fine line between doping and vitamins/proteins/supplements

No, it's really not; only your bias makes you say that


EDITED - you can have the last word if you want, I'm done.....hugs not drugs!

[Alessandro]

hugs not drugs!

On this I agree

[kempelito]

So the swedish final teams are decided after one hell of a series between Skellefteå and Växjö, Skellefteå scored the OT winner in game 7 after the last two games have been tied by Växjö in the last minute (19.59 and 19.24) of the third period. In the finals they will take on Frölunda who knocked out Luleå last night after an impressive 8-2 victory in game 6

[Thomaxius]

So the swedish final teams are decided after one hell of a series between Skellefteå and Växjö, Skellefteå scored the OT winner in game 7 after the last two games have been tied by Växjö in the last minute (19.59 and 19.24) of the third period. In the finals they will take on Frölunda who knocked out Luleå last night after an impressive 8-2 victory in game 6

What's that, 7th time in row they're now in the finals?

This year also marks the 4th time Tappara has been in the finals, so maybe this year both of them have their turns. I can't even imagine how it feels as a fan to have your team lose the finals 3 years in row.

[A9L3E]

Liiga had an incredible finale this season. Tappara leading the series 3-2, and the sixth final 2-1. The final buzzer and HIFK equaliser come at the same time. For a brief moment, both teams celebrate, and the referee indicates that the goal will be reviewed.

(The goal was disallowed, and thus Tappara won the championship.)

[CJ]

Patrik Laine (Top 3 NHL draft pick this year IMO) did most goals in the playoffs 10 out of 18 games... miracle kid! (3rd overall in scoring 10+5)

[kempelito]

Liiga had an incredible finale this season. Tappara leading the series 3-2, and the sixth final 2-1. The final buzzer and HIFK equaliser come at the same time. For a brief moment, both teams celebrate, and the referee indicates that the goal will be reviewed.

(The goal was disallowed, and thus Tappara won the championship.)

Wow, that has to be heartbreaking

[Tasku]

The most prominent of our nation's sports papers, Salon Seudun Sanomat, reported today that Jussi Salonoja has started a company called Espoo United to take over after the now bankrupt Espoo Blues parent company. The process to build a competitive Mestis team to Espoo has begun, and will most likely be ready by next season.

That means no Finnish hockey for me until they are promoted to Liiga, if that is indeed what JS is planning.

[CJ]

Espoo United?! Worst possible name imo. That's a 100% soccer team name..

[Tasku]

It's not the team name, it's the company. Like Jääkiekko Espoo Oy was the previous company name. This is Espoo United Oy.

I guess JS is into football, or something...

[Thomaxius]

Well, good news in the sense that hockey continues in Espoo and that it has a guy with money behind it. Also in this scenario, It's a good thing we have a closed series, cause the team can easily get promoted to Liiga again, as they have the resources and such.

As for the name, I hope they go with Kiekko-Espoo. It's a name with strong history and traditions, unlike Blues. Where did they come up with that anyway, Its not like Espoo has been known for its blues festivals or anything.

[Tasku]

I don't really care about the name. Blues is fine by me. Or Kiekko-Espoo.

Would be very curious to follow next year's Mestis season, but there really is no other way than to travel to the ice hall, which is not doable. Not more than once or twice per season.

[ForNever]

I'm moving to Joensuu this summer to pick up studying in a university there so maybe I can report something here from potential games between Jokipojat and the new Espoo team. I figured I'd start following Jokipojat next season (at least online if not attending the games) since I haven't followed a Mestis team properly after KooKoo's promotion to Liiga. Should be interesting!

[Tasku]

Sure! All info on this obscure distant Northern league is welcome!

[djskek]

Hamburg Freezers withdraws from the DEL.

The Anschutz Entertainment Group would no longer focus on two teams .

The Anschutz Entertainment Group:

Eisbären Berlin and Hamburg Freezers


Until 24 May , a buyer must be found , so that it still goes on.

[Alessandro]

Hamburg Freezers withdraws from the DEL.

The Anschutz Entertainment Group would no longer focus on two teams .

The Anschutz Entertainment Group:

Eisbären Berlin and Hamburg Freezers


Until 24 May , a buyer must be found , so that it still goes on.

Do you know why the AEG withdrawn the team?
I would love to have them as KHL franchise-owners... too bad it's very unlikely.

[djskek]

- focus on one team in same League
- to high reqirement with two Teams in same League
- not profitable enough
- It has long sought a buyer , but none was found .

My opinions : Sporty is a disaster for Hamburg . Economically , I can understand the decision . The DEL is simply not lucrative enough . Especially not with two teams. The Freezers were rarely successful .

[nino33]

So looking at the KHL 2016-17 schedule http://en.khl.ru/news/2016/03/24/242303.html it says "The League devised the calendar with the interests of Team Russia in mind" & "the organizers have strived to strike the correct balance between the interests of the Russian national team and of all the member clubs in the League" - has the KHL given up on being "the second best league in the world" and accepted they're just a national league?

IMO you can't be considered a serious professional league if anyone but the member clubs is dictating things (I really don't see much difference between the Russian League of the 1970s and the current KHL......both created for the purpose of the Russian national team, both not making money/requiring "subsidies" and both producing some pretty good hockey players! except now they're almost all in the NHL

[Alessandro]

So looking at the KHL 2016-17 schedule http://en.khl.ru/news/2016/03/24/242303.html it says "The League devised the calendar with the interests of Team Russia in mind" & "the organizers have strived to strike the correct balance between the interests of the Russian national team and of all the member clubs in the League" - has the KHL given up on being "the second best league in the world" and accepted they're just a national league?

IMO you can't be considered a serious professional league if anyone but the member clubs is dictating things (I really don't see much difference between the Russian League of the 1970s and the current KHL......both created for the purpose of the Russian national team, both not making money/requiring "subsidies" and both producing some pretty good hockey players! except now they're almost all in the NHL

It has always been like that.
Btw those pauses are mostly dictated by IIHF, and are kind of the same in other European leagues too.

[nino33]

So looking at the KHL 2016-17 schedule http://en.khl.ru/news/2016/03/24/242303.html it says "The League devised the calendar with the interests of Team Russia in mind" & "the organizers have strived to strike the correct balance between the interests of the Russian national team and of all the member clubs in the League" - has the KHL given up on being "the second best league in the world" and accepted they're just a national league?

IMO you can't be considered a serious professional league if anyone but the member clubs is dictating things (I really don't see much difference between the Russian League of the 1970s and the current KHL......both created for the purpose of the Russian national team, both not making money/requiring "subsidies" and both producing some pretty good hockey players! except now they're almost all in the NHL

It has always been like that.
Btw those pauses are mostly dictated by IIHF, and are kind of the same in other European leagues too.

I understand it's always been like that (hence my 1970s reference), and I understand other countries do it (with their national league), it's just the KHL was/is always claiming to be "more" than a national league