NUREMBERG, Germany – Nuremberg and its Arena Nurnberger Versicherung as a potential Champions Hockey League venue were checked out in a two-day site visit on Tuesday and Wednesday by Ovation Sports, the agency which will develop the commercial aspects of the CHL. Both sides got into details for the case that the SIT Ice Tigers Nuremberg would qualify for the Champions Hockey League group stage.

The representatives of Ovation Sports were pleased with what the club and its infrastructure can offer in view of the CHL. "We were looking at the facilities of the Arena Nurnberger Versicherung during two days and the arena features overall very good facilities. We want to give a consistent look and feel to every arena in the CHL – clubs, fans and TV viewers alike should immediately recognize that the CHL is something unique and special,” said TV production manager Joost van Hooijdonk.

The site visit team was also happy with the infrastructure in the Bavarian city. Ovation’s Daiana Robasto: “It is a beautiful city and the CHL guest will certainly feel comfortable here."

However, right now, the Ice Tigers are a step away from Champions Hockey League honours. Germany’s regular season winner will have to play the CHL qualifier tournament from September 12 to 14, 2008, against SC Bern (Switzerland) and HC Kosice (Slovakia). The venue has yet to be announced and all three clubs are in the running for hosting the tournament. The winner of the qualifier tournament will play in group D with HV71 Jonkoping (Sweden) and the Espoo Blues (Finland).