Memmingen celebrates seventh title in front of almost 2,700 fans

ECDC Memmingen has secured its seventh German championship – and the final of the German Women's Ice Hockey League (DFEL) took place in front of a crowd that narrowly missed the attendance record. In front of 2,679 fans, Memmingen won the third playoff final game against Eisbären Berlin at the Hühnerberg ice rink with 4:2 (1:1, 2:1, 1:0), thus deciding the best-of-five series without a defeat.

After two away wins in Berlin (3:0, 6:1), Memmingen needed just one more victory in the "three wins are enough" format – and delivered it in a game that seemed closer in score than the course of the entire series.

Memmingen completes the sweep in the third game

Memmingen relied on speed and presence in the dangerous zones in the decisive third game – and got goals from several lines. Nara Elia put the home team ahead in the 9th minute. Berlin came back, but in the middle period Memmingen took control of the game again: Jule Schiefer scored in the 40th minute, Theresa Knutson later increased the lead with her goal in the 36th minute as well as the decisive goal in the 54th minute. In the end, it was a 4:2 that sealed the "sweep" – three wins in three games.

The series itself provides the clear sporting assessment: Memmingen won all three final games, including two convincing away performances. In a final round where adjustments from game to game usually change the picture, Berlin never had a moment where the balance of power shifted sustainably.

Captain Daria Gleißner said after winning the title: "I am very proud of the team. This final series also showed that we play really good ice hockey here and that we are simply a strong team. That's why we are really happy to have won the title again, and now we're all looking forward to the championship celebration."

Almost record crowd at Hühnerberg

2,679 spectators watched the final in Memmingen. This means that 122 fans were missing for the official DFEL record. The previous best mark of 2,801 was set in November 2023 in Berlin at the Uber Arena (DEB).

The fact that a final decision in women's ice hockey in Germany comes so close to a historic mark is more than a footnote: it is an indication that games with clear sporting significance – final, title chance, "do-or-die" atmosphere – can carry the league beyond the core scene. It is precisely this combination of sporting quality and event character that Memmingen has once again established at Hühnerberg.

The increased attention also fits with the broad public perception around the national team: more than four million people tuned in to watch the German women's national team's preliminary round match against France at the Winter Games in Milan/Cortina. Memmingen benefits from the quality in its own squad – including players who have gained experience at the highest international level – and consistently converted this foundation into results in the playoffs.

The seventh title brings Memmingen close to the record

With the seventh German championship, Memmingen consolidates its position as a defining team in German women's ice hockey. At the same time, the club is now just one title short of the record held by ESG Planegg, which withdrew from the DFEL two years ago.

The success also stands for continuity: Memmingen not only wins "a final," but confirms a sporting line over the years. In a league whose framework remains manageable – currently with four German clubs and HK Budapest in the top division – periods of dominance are particularly noticeable. Memmingen shaped this final series with three wins and clear away performances and took the title without detours.

In the end, there remains a double image of this evening: a champion who left no sporting doubt – and an almost record-breaking crowd that shows the potential women's ice hockey can unfold when quality, occasion, and public interest come together.