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The day before the sixth final duel between Biel and Servette, Kevin Schläpfer is full of anticipation. “The nervousness,” the 53-year-old admits, “comes as soon as I drive to the rink before the game.” The fact that the EHCB is competing for the championship cup is very emotional for Schläpfer. “My heart club has a chance to win the title, and with it my son.”
Elvis Schläpfer (22) is in his second season as a regular at the club he was a big fan of since childhood and whose dressing room he went in and out of as a boy. Because his father became a cult player for the Seeländer in the then NLB between 2000 and 2004, and later shaped the club as a sports director and coach. In Biel, Kevin Schläpfer is revered as the “hockey god”.
Schläpfer: ‘It would be a hockey fairy tale’
«Elvis experienced my time in Biel. The whole family has been supporting this club for 20 years. That makes it very emotional for us.” That is why Schläpfer, who will be sports director at EHC Basel from next season, has not missed a playoff game for Biel. Life partner Nicole (43) and Elvis’ siblings Lovis (18) and Elisha (16 ) accompany him. “It would be a little hockey fairytale if they could crown this season with the national title.”
However, to make this possible, the Seelanders must first equalize the last series after the last 1:7 swatter. Kevin Schläpfer is convinced that the team is now with its back against the wall, “many players have the experience for it. I am convinced that with the euphoria of the spectators there will be a reaction from the team.” Of course he also gives his son advice, “but Elvis has grown up. This is not the time to tell him my opinion. I try to motivate him more.” Father and son have daily contact and have always had a close bond.
Bertaggia: “I’m a fan of his”
This also has Sandro Bertaggia with his son and Geneva striker Alessio. However, during conversations there has been an agreement between the two for a long time: “I have exactly two sentences free about hockey, then that’s it.” The six-time champion with Lugano – partnered Kevin Schläpfer in 1990 – would have a father’s heart if his son won the trophy. “Because I’m a fan of his.” And because Alessio Bertaggia fought through two difficult seasons.
No longer happy at Lugano, the striker moved to Geneva on a five-year contract last summer, not without some background noise. Servette struggled for a long time, the 29-year-old was given little responsibility and an injury threw him back. “It takes mental weathering to get through it,” says his father.
The 59-year-old takes a more relaxed approach to his son’s title race and occasionally drops out. He only saw the highlights of the fifth game, the 4Sports player agent stayed at the U18 World Cup instead. Today in Biel he is back in the stands. “I expect a tough game,” says Sandro Bertaggia, an ex-player who has won but also lost crucial finals. Already during his career it was known: “The last victory is always the most difficult.”
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.
