The home fans’ banner was rolled out across the entire Oświęcim fan block before the first face-off. It read: “Welcome to the city of your biggest crime. German Death Camps.”
When asked by the German Press Agency, the Eisbären confirmed that the banner was displayed. The players with whom the club spoke about it did not notice it because they were focused on the game. On Friday, the team visited the memorial to commemorate the victims of the Holocaust. The club had given its fans some recommendations before the away trip. They were advised to be sensitive when selecting their fan merchandise. “We don’t need to discuss the fact that it is not an ordinary game,” explained club spokesman Leo Imme.
After the game, the Polish hosts and the organizers of the Champions Hockey League apologized to the German ice hockey champions for the banner referring to the German extermination camp Auschwitz-Birkenau. “We have accepted this apology,” said a spokesman for the Eisbären.
From a sporting perspective, the evening was friendlier for the Berliners. Two days after the 1:3 defeat at the Växjö Lakers in Sweden, the Eisbären won 4:1 (1:1, 1:0, 2:0) against the Polish CHL newcomer on Saturday.
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