In a Champions Hockey League clash that transcended the ice, tensions flared as Unii Oświęcim of Poland faced off against Germany's Eisbären Berlin. The game, already charged with historical significance, took an emotional turn when local fans unveiled a provocative banner for the visiting Germans: "Welcome to the city of your biggest crime... GERMAN DEATH CAMPS."
The message was an unmistakable reference to the Auschwitz-Birkenau extermination camp, located just a stone's throw—3.7 miles—from the hockey arena. This marked the first visit by a professional Berlin ice hockey team to the city since World War II, adding layers of gravity to the event.
Prior to the puck drop, Eisbären Berlin players paid their respects at the Auschwitz memorial site. In a nod to the sensitivity of the occasion, the German club had advised its fans to be particularly mindful of their conduct during the game. "We don't need to emphasize that this isn't just another game for us," remarked club spokesperson Leo Imi.
In the aftermath of the game, the Polish team extended an apology for the hostile welcome experienced by the Berlin players, acknowledging the emotional weight carried by such gestures.