Kladno Prepares the Tournament of the Decade: Páňa Cup to Feature Teams from Finland, Switzerland, Slovakia, and the UK

A unique international showdown is set for late summer in Kladno. From Friday, August 22 to Sunday, August 24, 2025, the city will host the 8th edition of the Páňa Cup – and this year’s tournament is taking on unprecedented proportions. The organizers from HBC Kladno will welcome ten teams.

An International Tournament with a Special Meaning

The tournament, held in memory of late teammate Martin Panenka, has taken place annually since 2018. This year’s edition will be exceptional in many ways. In addition to the traditional participants from the Czech Republic and Slovakia, teams from Finland are joining the tournament for the first time – namely Siivikkalan Pelikassit and Peräpohjolan Poropojat. Representing Switzerland will be SHC La Chaux-de-Fonds and the elite club Oberwil Rebells, coached by the well-known Tibor Kapánek.

Slovakia’s ball hockey scene will be represented by HBK Skalica and HBK Nitrianski Rytieri, both returning to Kladno after more than a decade. The Czech CROSSDOCK Extraliga will be represented by Elba DDM Ústí nad Labem and HBC Hostivař, with the host team HBC Kladno naturally also competing. A standout addition this year is the national team of Great Britain, which is using the tournament as preparation for the World Championship. The British squad will be led by former ISBHF President George Gortsos.

Collaboration with ISBHF and International Aspirations

“When the opportunity arose to collaborate with ISBHF and expand the tournament to ten teams, it was fantastic news for us. It's a challenge we deeply appreciate,” said HBC Kladno Vice Chairman Milan Maršner. The International Street and Ball Hockey Federation (ISBHF) chose the Páňa Cup as a platform to promote international club-level competition.

“Rather than launching a new event, we decided to work with an experienced organizer. The Kladno arena already proved its quality during the 2022 Masters World Championship, and we’re delighted to have partnered with HBC Kladno,” said ISBHF President Elio Pascuzzo.

Three Days, Ten Teams, 27 Matches

The tournament will take place at the Kladno Municipal Ball Hockey Arena and will feature 27 matches over the course of three days. The ten teams will be divided into two preliminary groups, which will determine the matchups for Sunday’s placement games. Each participant will play at least five games.The Páňa Cup 2025 is shaping up to be one of the highest-quality preseason tournaments for European ball hockey clubs – and a fitting tribute to a figure who left an unforgettable mark on the Kladno ball hockey community.