Separated by just 400 kilometres, Bílí Tygři Liberec and GKS Tychy's Round of 32 matchup is the closest distance between two teams meeting each other in the first round of the 2020/21 season.
It will only be the second time that countries from the Czech Republic and Poland, who share an almost 800km border in Central Europe, have met in the Champions Hockey League – Sparta Prague got the better of Comarch Cracovia in their Group Stage meetings in 2015/16.
"GKS Tychy are Polish champions from the previous season, although it was interrupted by the global pandemic they won the regular season again," affirmed Liberec Head Coach Patrik Augusta. "From their roster we know Patryk Wronka well, as he played against us for Belfast last season. At this level of competition you just can't face an easy opponent. We are really looking forward to this and will prepare the best way we can."
"Our team's goal is always the same: win every game we play, and advance as far as possible."Patrik Augusta, Head Coach Bílí Tygři Liberec
"It'll be a big challenge for my team," began Krzysztof Majkowski, who will be on Tychy's bench in the Head Coach role for his first CHL campaign. "Our games against Liberec will be the club’s first against Czech opposition and we are looking forward to them, but there's no question we'll need to be at the very top of our game. I know our fans are very happy with how close they are located to us!"
This will be the first time that Tychy have played knock-out hockey in the CHL after two previous seasons where they failed to get out of their group. "In my opinion this change is really good for us. In the Group Stage you have six tough games, but now we'll only have two," explained Majkowski. "Our perfect scenario will be that we're able to win at home, and then go on the road to fight as hard as we can to advance."
The Bílí Tygři on the other hand do know have to play elimination hockey in the CHL. In 2017/18 they went to the Semi-Finals before falling to the Växjö Lakers after having made the Round of 16 in the previous two seasons.
"In my opinion it’s going to be more interesting because, basically, every game counts," explained Augusta. "How we start in that first game will be really important and we expect a lot of pressure, but it’s part of hockey. We understand the situation, why it's happening, and I think it will be exciting for us as well as for the fans."
He continued: "It means a lot to play in the CHL, we are in the company of the best teams in Europe which is always challenging. We have the opportunity to measure ourselves against them and we appreciate that experience. Our fans are always looking forward to it and our players can see how they stand against the competition in the other European leagues. All of this is great for their careers."
"We have one goal: to constantly get better. Qualifying for the Round of 16 will be very tough, but anything is possible."Krzysztof Majkowski, Head Coach GKS Tychy
Majkowski concluded: "This is an exciting time for our team and the city of Tychy. I know the GKS fans are excited to watch Liberec in action, both in Tychy and in the Czech Republic. We need to make sure we focus on ourselves and our players will be ready to go when the puck drops."