The Southern Conference quarterfinals start on the upcoming weekend and we have one debutant in the mix: Zug United on the Men’s side. The team won the Swiss championship title for the first time last season and also took home the Supercup title in Switzerland.
The future is looking very good for Zug United. Last season was historical as the Men’s team won their first ever Swiss championship title. Therefore they qualified for the Champions Cup for the very first time (on the men’s side). Zug has also been a desired destination for many top players from Finland and Sweden. Robin Nilsberth transferred to Zug in 2022 while Albin Sjögren, Miko Kailiala and Sami Johansson made their way to Switzerland one year later. This season the team got another player from Sweden, when the national team defender Tobias Gustafsson transferred from Storvreta IBK to Zug.
Tim Mock joined Zug United during season 2018/2019 and has represented the team ever since. Before joining his current club, Mock played for Grasshopper Club Zürich and Unihockey Limmattal. Last season Mock gathered 13 points (9+4) from 35 matches and got to lift the historical title first as the team captain. But what about the approaching Champions Cup and expectations for that?
You won your first Swiss championship title last season and now you will do a debut in the Champions Cup. What are your expectations for the Champions Cup?
— It is the first time in club history that we qualified for the CC with the men‘s team, we therefore are all looking forward to collect this new experience and are super hungry to win each game against the top teams of Europe ahead.
Zug United have a double-representation in the CC as also the Women’s Team is in. What are the key things that have been done right in the club as both teams have been so successful lately?
— The foundation of this success has been laid a while ago in the past by the club. It is a mix of great junior development over the years, of good transfers and of investing in better infrastructure for us players (coaches, training possibilities, etc) which has led to both teams taking a big step forward.
You’ll meet the Czech team Florbal MB in the quarter-finals. How would you describe your opponent? Any specific players to look out for?
— With Florbal MB we are facing a tough Czech opponent in the quarterfinal. They will be playing physically hard and we expect an intense game with a lot of fast counters from them. They have good quality all over the squad so we won‘t be focusing on one single player especially but we know that Adam Delong is always good for a goal.
You have some kind of “Nordic gang” there with players transferring from Finland and Sweden. What have they brought to your team?
— Our foreign players are making our team stronger in many kind of ways. The very obvious strength they bring in is their skills and scoring instincts, which contributed a big part of our success last year. But also, they are all bringing in their experience from their 10-15 years in SSL/F-Liiga and national championships and help our quite young Swiss squad with their leadership and mentality in the everyday trainings and games.
Which player(s) will make a difference in the quarter-finals and help you reach the semi-finals?
— It’s hard to pick one single player as we have many in the team who can make the difference if they have a good day but if I got to pick one, it’s Albin Sjögren.
Zug United in the Champions Cup quarter-finals
Sunday 22nd September at 16:30 Florbal MB v Zug United in MSH Mlada Boleslav
Saturday 28th September at 17:00 Zug United v Florbal MB in Sporthalle Zug
All matches live on the IFF App!
