HLA Check

After the long summer break, the HLA has finally started again. I do expect an exciting and well-balanced season. Many outstanding players have left the league and I'm eager to see which clubs can afford the best, or compensate for the outflow.

A1 Bregenz is definitely - again this year - one of the top favorites for the title. However, I do not think they will dominate the league like in the previous years. The disposals of Hojc and Marinovic will only be compensated with difficulty.

The Aon Fivers are one of the closest runner-up to A1 Bregenz. With Ziura and Bauer two key players left the club, but all the other important players stayed in Vienna. In addition, they have strengthened well with Thaqi. The Aon Fivers have a big team and I think they have what it takes to become Champion this year.

Alpla HC Hard still needs some time to build a new team. With Wleklak, Moszczynski and Klimciauskas they have lost important players in the backcourt. To be able to engage seriously in the title fight, I think they will still need a reinforcement for the attack. For Hard, it would definitely be the time to exploit their sporting and commercial potential and win a title. The other teams should have Hard on their list.

West Wien has been able to reinforce as one of the few clubs in comparison to last year. If all the new players can embark as expected, West Wien is definitely an inside tip. I do not think, they can win the title in the first year after the rise, but they will certainly surprise.

UHK Krems will - with West Wien and Innsbruck - fight for the 4th place. They have not been able to fulfill the expectations last season. Now they are under pressure and have yet to cope with many exits. Their goal should be the semifinals.

Innsbruck has lost Jovanovic, Wöss and Pesic. With Kainmüller they work well reinforced, but I believe it will be difficult to build on the successes of last season, but they should reach the Champions Play Off.

Schwaz, Tulln, Linz and Leoben, I guess, do play on a similar level. All four teams have what it takes to surprise, but I do not think that they have the consistency to reach the playoff too. But they are strong enough to secure the retention in the HLA, and thus it is my opinion, must not be relegated.

I will follow the HLA in any case.
See you soon
Conny