The mighty ZSC Lions Zurich kept the European Trophy in Switzerland last night when they narrowly beat Swedish rivals Färjestad Karlstad to the European Club Champions title in front of a rocking crowd in Zurich's Swiss Life Arena.
Team Captain of new CHL Champions Patrick Geering was gleaming when he got his hands on the European Trophy for the very first time.
"This is exactly why I play ice hockey"Patrick Geering, ZSC Lions Zurich
"This was one of our goals for this season so it feels great," started the 35-year-old born and raised in Zurich, "we had a great game but we have to give credit to our opponents as well, they never let off."
How would he summarise the ultimate game of the 2024/25 CHL calendar? Easy one: "These are the types of games I want to play. Everyone is battling for every inch of the ice, that's exactly why I play ice hockey."
Anyone who saw the 2025 CHL Final or was lucky enough to be in the Swiss Life Arena personally couldn't miss the amazing atmosphere mainly the Zurich fans brought. It was electrifying.
"Our fans wanted the win as bad as we did"Patrick Geering, ZSC Lions Zurich
"I have to applaud them. They wanted the win as bad as we wanted it and really showed up," he said.
As CHL Champions, Zurich are also qualified for the upcoming 2025/26 season of Europe's biggest club ice hockey competition. Is it too early to look at that?
"Yeah it's early," agreed Geering, "but the Swedish teams have managed to do it back to back so I'm looking forward to the games next year."