Following the ascent, Dresden enthusiastically honors its ice sculptures, fondly known as "lions."
In the heart of Dresden, an exuberant sea of blue and white filled the city center on Wednesday, as more than a thousand enthusiastic fans celebrated the Ice Lions' historic promotion to the Deutsche Eishockey Liga (DEL). Following a thrilling 2:1 victory over the Ravensburg Towerstars in the seventh final game, the team and their supporters paraded from Neumarkt to the Joynext Arena in an emotional victory celebration.
The central meeting point was the Frauenkirche, where fans, adorned in jerseys, scarves, and cardboard helmets, gathered in anticipation. The sun shone brightly as fans created a lively atmosphere, eagerly awaiting the arrival of the team on an open double-decker bus. As the bus approached, a deafening collective cheer erupted, accompanied by chants of "E, E, ESC!" as the Ice Lions' ascent to the top league was officially recognized.
A poignant moment occurred at Neumarkt, where Mayor Dirk Hilbert honored the team at City Hall. Hilbert praised the team's passion, team spirit, and incredible energy, expressing the city's pride at seeing them elevated to the DEL. With anticipation mounting for the upcoming East Derby matches against the Berlin Polar Bears, the team's journey through the city culminated at the Joynext Arena, preparing for the season-ending party.
Forward Niklas Postel expressed the camaraderie that propelled the team through the playoffs: "We truly formed a cohesive unit during the playoffs. The sense of unity was palpable – we are a family." Even players who didn't feature in the crucial games, like Arne Uplegger, highlighted the importance of team spirit, reinforcing the bond that has been key to the Ice Lions' success.
The Ice Lions, founded in 1990 as part of the Eissportclub Dresden e.V., have fostered growth and progress over the years. Achieving promotion to the 2. Bundesliga in the 2007/08 season marked a significant landmark. With a seating capacity of up to 4,412 spectators, the Joynext-Arena has been the Ice Lions' home ground for years[2].
Having secured a spot in the DEL[4], the highest professional ice hockey league in Germany, the Dresdner Eislöwen are gearing up for their inaugural season in the top-tier competition. The team has bolstered its roster for the upcoming season, signing experienced players like Justin Braun and Július Hudáček, in a bid to compete effectively with the league's top teams. As the team prepares to make its mark in the DEL, it aims to build on its growing reputation and attract a broader supporter base[3].
A momentous day in Dresden's hockey history, the promotion to the DEL brings with it the potential for increased exposure and a chance to establish the Ice Lions as a force to be reckoned with in the German hockey scene.
Fans, enthusiastically garbed in their team jerseys and cardboard helmets, continued to celebrate the Ice Lions' promotion to the Deutsche Eishockey Liga (DEL) by cheering for their favorite sports team, the Ice Lions, at the festive atmosphere in the city center. With the team's ascendancy to the top league officially recognized, supporters expressed their excitement for upcoming hockey matches against rivals like the Berlin Polar Bears.
