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Nobody rejuvenates, not even him: Raphael Diaz, 34 years old. Photo: trapezoidal
Eismeister Zaugg
Is the time of the duo of Zug Díaz and Genoni running out?
EV Zug has made immense efforts to become champions for the second time since 1998. Prospects may not be as good as this season for years to come. The sporting pressure on the entire company and on coach Dan Tangnes is maximum.
Ten years ago EV Zug moved to a new stadium and now has the most modern training center in Europe (OYM). The company has grown rapidly, is also doing successful business in the catering industry and has been run by a billionaire since 2016. In a decade, a cheeky outsider has become a world-class hockey company in terms of sport , infrastructure and economy, with the goal of winning the title every year. But when will this magnificent success story finally be crowned with the title?
Impatience grows. Because the Zugers are running out of time. Captain and defender Raphael Díaz continues to be the best and most complete Swiss defender in the league. But he will turn 35 in January. And Leonardo Genoni, the most expensive goalkeeper in league history, is already 33 years old. Both are now in the golden autumn of their careers.
A master objective as a support: Leonardo Genoni. Photo: trapezoidal
Routine for the ZSC, an event of the century for Zug
Titans like Diaz and Genoni cannot be replaced in the transfer market for years. The clock is ticking. If the great triumph of spring 2021 is not successful, when will it? Not only the pressure on coach Dan Tangnes, who has never won a championship, is enormous. The entire company has to live with lofty expectations – just the title is good enough.
This applies to Zug more than any other team, more than the ZSC Lions, who are only aiming for another tenth title. What is routine for Zurich is an event of the century for Zug. The ZSC Lions are considered clear favorites. But the people of Zurich will play this role every year for years to come. Defeating this titan is easier when Raphael Diaz and Leonardo Genoni can still play their best hockey.
Banger watches the video cube: Dan Tangnes. Photo: trapezoidal
Tangnes is a key figure on the road to the championship. He’s one of the best coaches in Europe and maybe even a future NHL gang general. In essence and work, he can be compared to Rikard Grönborg from Zurich. His record at Zug is impressive after two years: a cup win, a lost playoff final and two second places in the standings.
Good enough on and off the ice
Under Dan Tangnes, Zug was tactically catapulted from the Stone Age into the 21st century. And several talents improved even more with the Norwegian. He modernized and energized Zug’s game, which was urgently needed after four seasons of tight hockey results under friendly, ultra-conservative tactical “dinosaur” Harold Kreis.
Zug is good enough on and off the ice for the next title. As a billionaire, President Hans-Peter Strebel guarantees economic stability. Managing Director Patrick Lengwiler has competent staff in the office, catering and tables and has turned Zug into a formidable modern hockey company.
If you want to wash the bear, you have to wet it
Something is missing? Yes, the self-confidence of a great sports company is lacking. An unconditional culture of success, for example at Bayern Munich or in Bern, when Kari Jalonen still had the sports department under control. In Zug, with misunderstood modesty, it is verbally explained day after day how cheap the equipment is and how much more money the competition spends. Exciting excuses in case it’s not enough for the title.
Standing seats were also manufactured in Zug. Image: keystone
Becoming a master starts at the head on the executive floor and if management is hesitant to speak uncompromisingly about the title, then the final determination that decides a title fight is also missing from the locker room. Anyone who is afraid to unconditionally embrace the great goal will not achieve it. If you want to wash the bear, you have to get it wet. It’s no coincidence that with Fredy Egli, the people of Zug had the most charismatic and controversial president in their history for his only title in 1998.
The Zugers have the infrastructure, the money and the equipment for the title, but they still don’t have a masterful mindset in fall 2020. They may have this mindset in spring 2021. But just maybe.
Forecast:
Place 2.
