Reigning CHL Champions Tappara Tampere are riding the high of back-to-back National titles and will enjoy their first home game of the season when they take on the Belfast Giants. Despite a rocky first game start against Danish team, the Aalborg Pirates, Tappara managed to secure two points with a win in OT. The Finnish side will be hunting for points in their quest for another successful CHL campaign.

Head Coach Rikard Grönborg shared the intel on his rivals from Northern Ireland: “The Giants have been a top team for many, many years. Their assistant coach played in the same university as me. Sheldon Keefe’s brother is the Head Coach, so I am expecting a physical, hardworking, and straight-thinking team.” 

While the Belfast Giants are yet to hoist the elusive CHL silverware, they’ve been productive in their neck of the woods, picking up back-to-back EIHL titles. They’ve made two appearances in the CHL, in 2019/20 and 2022/23 but never exited the Group Stage gauntlet. 

Belfast has a tough season-opener with two back-to-back games, both against Finnish teams, starting with Finnish side Lukko Rauma. This match-up is an important one for Belfast’s Head Coach Adam Keefe: “Undoubtedly, all our fixtures will be tough – especially against reigning champions Tappara Tampere, but we want to rub shoulders with Europe’s elite and test ourselves."