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EHC Olten has flirted with promotion to the National League again and again over the past ten years. But in the end, the traditional club always had to make way for others. In order the SCL Tigers, the SCRJ Lakers, Ajoie and finally Kloten. Despite his great ambitions, Olten seems trapped in the Swiss League environment, which has become increasingly difficult in recent years.
After the club had to report a loss of 1.2 million francs at the last AGM, a huge reduction from the previous budget of around 5.7 million francs has now been announced ahead of next season in the Swiss league. Because the people in Olten are now tired of confidential counselors regularly having to close their financial gaps. “Every club in the Swiss league has to make corrections because nothing comes from the association. But next season we will also have a team that can certainly play in the top four,” says chairman Marc Thommen (55).
The double planning is ready
Is EHC Olten making its last serious attempt to promote to the National League, now that the play-offs start today against Thurgau? When asked about this, Thommen replied: “We take it one game at a time. But if we can, we’ll go this way. Otherwise we would not have had to submit a PhD application at all.”
For Thommen, however, the fundamental question is whether progress in this system, which he describes as ‘frustrating’, is still realistic. “However, there can still be a moment like this when the club coming from above completely collapses, and then you have to be ready for it. That is why we also have a double planning.” The board would first have to decide whether Olten would even apply for promotion next season if they failed again.
Difficult last months
The sporting conditions for promotion in Olten were better than this season. The club looks back on turbulent and difficult past months. On the one hand, a lot of bad luck with injuries had to be overcome and a month ago, when the results were no longer correct, there was also a divorce from coach Lars Leuenberger (48). Sports director Marc Grieder (39) is also leaving after this season.
After all: with a strong final sprint, the Solothurn team managed to secure third place in qualifying. «Becoming at least third was also our goal for the season. We are therefore going into the play-offs with confidence,” said Thommen. The new coach Gary Sheehan (59) radiates new hope. Because the Canadian knows how to get promoted and achieved this feat three years ago with Ajoie.
|
team
|
SP
|
T.D
|
PT
|
||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1
|
 HC La Chaux-de-Fonds
|
45
|
54
|
92
|
|
|
2
|
 EHC Basel
|
45
|
67
|
92
|
|
|
3
|
 EHC Olten
|
45
|
43
|
84
|
|
|
4
|
 GCK lions
|
45
|
23
|
77
|
|
|
5
|
 HC Sierre
|
45
|
-20
|
63
|
|
|
6
|
 HC Thurgau
|
45
|
5
|
63
|
|
|
7
|
 EHC Visp
|
45
|
-10
|
61
|
|
|
8th
|
 EHC Winterthur
|
45
|
-16
|
60
|
|
|
9
|
 Hcv Martigny
|
45
|
-27
|
58
|
|
|
10
|
 HC Biasca Ticino missiles
|
45
|
-119
|
25
|
Source : Blick
I’m Emma Jack, a news website author at 24 News Reporters. I have been in the industry for over five years and it has been an incredible journey so far. I specialize in sports reporting and am highly knowledgeable about the latest trends and developments in this field.
