Pixbo IBK have full representation in this year’s Champions Cup as both the women’s and men’s team are in the quarter-finals. Last year Pixbo came second, after losing against Thorengruppen in the final, a team they know really well from the SSL. Goalkeeper Lara Heini is looking forward to the new edition of the event and is confident that her team will be prepared for whatever comes their way.
Pixbo IBK belongs to the top teams in the Women’s SSL and we are starting to see them more often also in the Champions Cup. The Foxes have won the CC once, back in 2016. Before the new season, they lost many important players like Eliska Krupnova who ended her floorball career and Rikke Hansen who transferred to FBC Kalmarsund. But Pixbo also made some big signings over the summer. Swiss national team players Isabelle Gerig and Celine Stettler joined Pixbo and so did Mira Markström. Markström played an astonishing U19 WFC in Lahti this spring and we can only expect great things from her also in the Champions Cup.
Lara Heini joined Pixbo in 2018 and she has levelled up her game while playing in Sweden. Her sixth season starts with the Champions Cup quarter-finals against TPS, same opponent as last year. They also played in the Czech Open earlier this month and what did they do – win gold of course. So Pixbo are entering the CC with a positive energy. And Heini is looking forward to the upcoming games.
Past Champions Cup ended in a final but also in that frustrating second place. What are your thoughts about the previous Champions Cup and how have you prepared for the new season and new edition of the Champions Cup?
— It was a close game that we lost 4-3. Being the second best team in the world is something to be proud of but it’s also the first loser ;) So, we will change that this year, with more offensive power in the team. I love the Champions Cup and competing against other club teams and I am really happy with the new format so I am just looking forward to it!
— Yes, we have great new players! But at the same time we have also lost 4 great players that are not easy to compensate. The team now looks more promising for the future but I (as an older player ;)) don’t care much about that. We want to win the titles this year and we will definitely have the chance to do it!
Pixbo is having a ”full” representation in the Champions Cup as the Men’s Team is also in the quarter-finals. What are your thoughts about this?
— I think it is fantastic. It shows that the club is doing many things right. The fact that both teams are in the top 8 in the world is impressive.
Which player(s) will make a difference in the quarter-finals and help you reach the semi-finals?
— The best thing about our team is that I could mention many names. I hope to see the duo Gerig-Loneberg as they will be dangerous
. Maybe Mira Markström (or Moa Andersson) will make the difference with a zorro goal ;) Come to the hall to see it!
Pixbo in the Champions Cup quarter-finals
Sunday 25th August at 18.30 Pixbo IBK v TPS at Wallenstam Arena
Saturday 31st August at 17.00 TPS v Pixbo IBK at Kupittaan Palloiluhalli
