I don’t have a problem with the Challenge Cup myself, to me it’s the chance to see more games and that’s good, maybe it’s not set out in the best format, but I still enjoy it. Loved the games when we were in the final more so when we won obviously. You have to beat what’s in front of you , just wish the gap between top teams and bottom teams could be reduced making competitions a bit more competitive.
Challenge Cup Final
- Thread starter jenks33
- Start date
Congratulations to Belfast, they deservedly won the competition under the rules laid out. No issue with that at all. In fact, I admire them for investing in the team when they had their major wobble a couple of months ago, by bringing in quality replacements like Besko. If only we were quite so ambitious instead of being told at that time that there was “no one out there“. Who knows whether they broke the rules or not, that’s for the EIHL board to look but when your salary cap has been based on “gentleman’s agreements“ in the past, then it means nothing anyway and there is no punishment. But the competition does need a major overhaul next season. 2 groups of 5, not bothered if based regionally, top 2 in each group in the semifinals. And if the final is not in a neutral venue, then it must revert to being played over 2 games.
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Am sure if Fife had won the game last night, we wouldn't even be discussing wage caps and fairness etc. We would rightly be lauding the Flyers for a fantastic win (frankly, any team getting to the final has done very well. An achievement Devils, Steelers, Panthers failed to reach this year). Some might possibly be lauding the current CC format for finally working in favour of a non arena team.
The current repetitive format does need changing and levelling up, however. The good 'ol Autumn Cup was a bit more exciting.
It's difficult to imagine how Giants can attract these high calibre players, stay within the roster numbers AND the wage cap. A wizard GM would have to work miracles!
The current repetitive format does need changing and levelling up, however. The good 'ol Autumn Cup was a bit more exciting.
It's difficult to imagine how Giants can attract these high calibre players, stay within the roster numbers AND the wage cap. A wizard GM would have to work miracles!
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Well done giants on the win, firmly believe the grandslam is on for them and on that note I think keefer will go onto bigger leagues next season , he's done it all now at Belfast as with lordo in his winning seasons, plus some of the players he's got now will be looking to upgrade themselves, they've had a great core this season and .ist consistent team.
At the start of every season, I have my season ticket in place, we sit in the same seats, and drink the same ridiculous amount of garbage beer and EVERY season, I dread, or just don't attend, the group stages of the CC Cup. It bores the life out of me. I would love for the league to do something, anything, to improve it. Last night was a good enough night. A cup was won, and the team got the usual plaudits. However, the buzz of a match against Cardiff, Guildford etc just wasn't there.March 2023 CC win will not live long in my memory
I think the format with the best qualifying team gets home advantage in the final is a good idea, but as someone said, Belfast are always going to play the worst teams in the league , where we get Guildford and Coventry, and if you are going to play group games, just play each team once, home and away
I disagree that it’s a good idea. It’s a ridiculous idea when you have such a disparity in quality between the groups (even if the 2 finalists this year were from the Scottish group/Belfast, which is a little surprising). The final must either be a one off at a neutral venue, or over 2 legs as it used to be. I'd prefer it over 2 legs.
How can you arrange a neutral venue until the finalist are known
Last minute arena bookings on 2 successive days is likely to be impossible. Arenas are the most attractive venues in terms of numbers but I guess you could add in Cardiff and Glasgow
As for who host I thought clubs bid for the rights to hold and has nothing to do with positions in the seedings
Last minute arena bookings on 2 successive days is likely to be impossible. Arenas are the most attractive venues in terms of numbers but I guess you could add in Cardiff and Glasgow
As for who host I thought clubs bid for the rights to hold and has nothing to do with positions in the seedings
Well you can’t arrange a neutral venue until the finalists are known, that’s pretty obvious! But why does a one off final need to be in a big arena? We put on 2 great finals. As you say, there are other options too, doesn’t have to be Sheffield or Nottingham. Not sure I get your point on “last minute arena bookings on 2 successive days” though? But as I said, my preference would be back to a 2 legged final, you don’t have to worry about a neutral venue then, it’s just a home and away series.
