Another encounter with the Swedish champion

EVZ has qualified for the CHL semi-finals for the second time since the 2022/23 season. Zug will face Luleå Hockey, the reigning Swedish champions, in the round of the best four. The team from northern Sweden won the first edition of the CHL in the 2014/15 season and has since taken part in the competition of Europe’s best four more times – Luleå reached the semi-finals in 2019/20 and only lost in the final to Tappara Tampere in 2022/23.

Zug and Luleå faced each other right at the start of the 2025/26 CHL campaign. Back then, EVZ secured two points thanks to a goal from Lukas Bengtsson in overtime.

“The Champions Hockey League games are always something very special for me – different opponents, new hockey cultures, top teams from all over Europe. With Luleå, the Swedish champions are coming to Zug, which promises to be a highly exciting encounter.”

EVZ goalie Leonardo Genoni on the semi-final clash

In the domestic SHL championship, Luleå, like EVZ, are struggling – after 33 of 52 rounds they are only in 10th place, just two points behind 6th place, however. The LHF have two tough tests on the programme before their visit to Zug: On Thursday evening, they face leaders Frölunda away in Gothenburg, from where they travel directly to Ängelholm. On Saturday, they will face Dan Tangnes’ Rögle, who are currently 3rd in the table. Finally, on Sunday, Luleå will travel directly from Copenhagen to Switzerland.

Brian O’Neill, the current top scorer of the northern Swedes with 9 goals and 18 assists, will also be there. For the American, it will be a return to his place of work from 2022 to 2024. The agile winger collected 68 points in 92 games for the EVZ. In the CHL in particular, O’Neill left his mark on Zug’s game on their way to the semi-finals. Thanks to 1.42 points per game – 6 goals and 11 assists in 12 games – the right winger wore the CHL top scorer jersey in the 2022/23 season.

“I could never really say goodbye to the EVZ fans. I really appreciated their great support during my two years in Zug! It was a wonderful time for my family and me.”

Brian O’Neill, former EVZ forward, about his time in Zug

In the home game on 13 January, the EVZ wants to create a good starting position for the second leg a week later in Luleå. In the CHL, the aggregate score after 120 minutes counts. If the score is tied after the game in Sweden, overtime will follow. The winner after two games will advance to the Champions Hockey League Final. EVZ has the chance to become only the third Swiss team to do so after Genève-Servette and the ZSC Lions. Both were able to host the final at home and also win. For Zug, there is only a hypothetical chance of playing the final in the OYM hall – if they can win both games against Luleå after 60 minutes (3+3 points) and at the same time Brynäs would enter the final with two draws against Frölunda (1+1 points) after 120 minutes and a win after overtime.

“We’ve invested a lot in this CHL campaign because it’s clearly our goal to reach the final and win the European Trophy. For the players, these games are a welcome change with a new starting position in a high-level competition.”

Michael Liniger, Head Coach EVZ, on the ambitions in the CHL

Tickets for the semi-final home game are no longer included in the season ticket. Tickets are on sale to the public in the EVZ ticket shop.

With a ticket for the CHL semi-final home game, you can travel free of charge on public transport (bus/light rail) within the Zug fare network from three hours before the start of the game to the stadium and back again up to two hours after the game. Extra buses will also be travelling to the various Zug municipalities after the game.