2004 European Continental Cup

[SwissGCZ]

This year's final takes place in Gomel, Belarus:
http://www.iihf.com/hydra/tournaments/output/CC/

For those of you unfamiliar with the tournament, the Continental Cup determines the European champion in hockey. Formed in 1997 as hockey's "Uefa Cup" next to the EHL (European Hockey League), the Continental Cup became the main European tournament when the IIHF pulled the plug on the EHL in 2000. More info here: http://www.eurohockey.net/leagues/international/

Basically the Continental Cup faces many challenges (Sweden & the Czech Republic didn't send teams this year), but nonetheless - it does crown the European hockey champion. I personally would like to see HC Lugano continue the Swiss dominance in this competition...

1997 Kosice, SVK
1998 Ambri-Piotta, SUI,
1999 Ambri Piotta, SUI
2000 ZSC Zurich Lions, SUI
2001 ZSC Zurich Lions, SUI
2002-2003 Jokerit Helsinki, FIN

...and with that said,

FORZA LUGANO!

http://www.zona-bianconera.com/logo/hcl.gif

[aloisius]

German and Russian clubs are also not participating I believe. Why is it so difficult to organize a genuine European cup for hockey? I vaguely remember that Medvescak(Zagreb) use to regularly sell-out their 12 000 hall in a European champions cup in the late 80s. I think it was abandoned in the mid nineties.

[Canadian_Supporter]

Why didn't the Czech Republic send any teams?