100 days until the Olympics: Germany Cup without Berlin stars!

100 days until the Olympics: Germany Cup without Berlin stars!

In just a few days the time has come: the Germany Cup 2025 is just around the corner, an important endurance test for the German national ice hockey teams before the Olympic Games in Milan. National coach Harold Kreis has nominated a squad that will have to do without some prominent players. The Eisbären Berlin champion players, including Jonas Müller and Frederik Tiffels, were omitted out of consideration for their strain and injuries. NHL stars Leon Draisaitl, Moritz Seider and Tim Stützle are also missing from the upcoming tournament in Landshut.

But don't worry, the team is still strong. The squad is described by Kreis as “very strong”, with established professionals such as captain Moritz Müller and Marc Michaelis in the team. On the first days of the tournament, the German selection will face Latvia (November 6th), Austria (November 8th) and defending champion Slovakia (November 9th). While the men are preparing for the Olympics, the German women are also making their big appearance, from November 5th to 9th, 2025 in Landshut.

Women's ice hockey on the rise

It is the first time since 2014 that the women's DEB team has qualified for the Olympic Games. The women benefit from the opportunity to prove their strength in the Germany Cup. France, Slovakia and Hungary are waiting for them as opponents. National coach Jeff MacLeod can rely on players from the North American professional league PWHL, including goalkeeper Sandra Abstreiter and the talented player Laura Kluge. The Games not only provide a test for the team, but also a valuable experience that prepares them for the upcoming Olympics.

The Germany Cup has established itself as an important part of the Olympic program. This becomes even clearer when you consider that at the Olympic Games in Milan the women will have to face teams such as Sweden, Japan, France and hosts Italy in the preliminary round. The standard is high and the expectations are high.

Clear timetable to Milan

So the timetable is set: The German women's team has its first games in the Germany Cup before meeting France in February 2026 - a decisive match in the Olympic ice hockey tournament. The preliminary round of the Olympic Games is also challenging for the men's selection, as they compete against Denmark, Latvia and the USA. There is a lot to do and the preseason couldn't be more important.

In summary, the Germany Cup is not only a test of condition and strength, but also a place where dreams and ambitions come together on the way to the Olympic Games. Such a promising time for ice hockey in Germany – we can be excited!