Ice hockey trainer Uwe Krupp worked for both the Eisbären Berlin and the Cologne Haie. In an interview, he analyzes the final series between the two teams and does not yet write down the Rhinelander despite the high defeat in the last game. You can hear a full report on the fourth game of the DEL final series on Wednesday from 7:30 p.m. in the RBB | 24-livestream.
RBB | 24: Mr. Krupp, DEL final series and then also between two teams who played an important role in their career. Are you there live with every game?
Uwe Krupp: Unfortunately not. I’m in Riga right now, here is a big U11 tournament. I have two children who participate. But of course I followed all the games. It is an interesting series.
You are born in Cologne. So the question is unnecessary who your heart beats for?
(laughs) absolutely not, because that is actually not that easy. I’m very shared there. I’m Cologne, but the time in Berlin was special for me. My daughter was born in Berlin and always fires that Polar bear to. So in the family this is a explosive affair, but it’s also a lot of fun.
Then the cheers of the youngsters in Krupp should have been great on Monday evening. With 7-0 the polar bears swept the sharks out of the hall. Cologne deservedly won in the game before. How do such different game courses come about?
Cologne plays very disciplined and usually only gives a few chances. You always have to work through them. They withdraw and wait for what comes from Berlin. And then they are dangerous in the counterattacks, as with the winning goal in extra time in the second game.
However, if you get behind it, it will be difficult for you, precisely because the polar bears are clear offensive. In addition, the sharks have yesterday [Montag, Anm. d. Red.] Four of the seven goals outnumbered. The Berlin Powerplay is just great.
But in the end it doesn’t matter whether you win 7: 0, 5: 1 or 2: 1 in overtime – it always counts as a win.
This canteen victory does not affect the rest of the series much more than had the polar bears only won with one goal?
Cologne has lost games so high in the playoffs. In the next game they always showed morality and made it closer again. Now you have to show again that you have ticked off the high bankruptcy.
Nevertheless, the third game is traditionally an important game in a best-of-Seven series. And the Berliners have won that clearly. Now it will be interesting to see how you approach the next game. Do you take it too loose and believe that I have pulled the tooth for the Cologne now or does Serge Aubin be that you are again at full throttle and are fully concentrated?
Both teams should definitely trust their strengths.
Eisbears take the lead in the DEL final series after winning Cologne
After the 5-1 win in the first final game against the Cologne Haie, the Eisbären Berlin also won the second home game of the series. Again it became clear. Also thanks to a new record player.more
And that would be?
The polar bears have already scored 13 goals in the series, Cologne only three. That speaks for itself. And the power play and the special teams. They always challenge Cologne in one-on-one and cause penalty times. In addition, players like Ronning and Pföderl are simply in shape.
Cologne, on the other hand, has a defensive bulwark. And behind it an absolute key player: goalkeeper Julius Hudacek. This is the one who brought her to the final. He has a catch rate of over 90 percent in the playoffs, which is of course great. If you crack him, as Berlin made in the first and third game, it will be a clear thing for the polar bears. You have to be in front of him and take his view.
All in all, I would say that Berlin has better cards over seven games.
Do you actually think that there will be a seventh game?
If Berlin should win tomorrow, Cologne stands with his back to the wall. But the sharks have often proven insane morality. And the playoffs have their own rules.
Thank you for the conversation.
The interview was conducted by Lukas Witte.
Sending: The Day, April 22nd, 2025, 7:15 p.m.
