The Spengler Cup

We just missed the first lift up the mountain this morning but still managed to get the 8.30am lift, so it was an early start. We had a good morning skiing, then had an early lunch and came down as we were due to catch the 2pm train to Davos because we had tickets to the Spengler Cup. This is an ice hockey tournament held every year in Davos, hosted by the Davos Hockey Club - it was first held in 1923 and is considered the oldest invitational ice hockey tournament in the world.

Today's match was the semi final between Canada (the reigning champions) and Minsk. It was an exciting match, played over three sets of 20 minutes each. I have never watched ice hockey before and it was very fast, very aggressive, and very loud! The music and cheering and drunken chanting was quite unlike anything I have ever seen before. Two old women sitting in front of us (see extra) were getting quite carried away, consuming an endless supply of beers and also something else in their hip flasks throughout the match - and I believe they also had tickets to the next match that evening so it was going to be a long day for them! By the time it ended and we walked back to the train station and then got home it was time for supper - we have just finished a cheese fondue and now it is late and I am ready for bed.