The Kontinental Hockey League (KHL) is set to launch its 2025 pre-season program with the highly anticipated Fonbet Minsk Cup. This summer tournament will feature four prominent KHL clubs: Dinamo Minsk, Admiral, Lada, and Metallurg, promising an exciting start to the new hockey season.
A Glimpse into the Tournament`s Past and Present Revival
While the Fonbet Minsk Cup marks a fresh beginning for the pre-season calendar, the Minsk Cup itself isn`t entirely new. It was previously held in 2017 to commemorate the city`s 950th anniversary. That earlier event was organized by Yunost, a team from the Belarusian championship, rather than Dinamo. Although five KHL teams participated, the 2017 tournament wasn`t particularly representative; Lokomotiv, the eventual winner, was the only participant to advance beyond the second round of the playoffs that spring, while Dinamo Riga and Yugra finished at the bottom of the regular season standings. The revival of the Minsk Cup with stronger KHL representation signals its growing significance.
The Contenders for the Revived Trophy
The updated Fonbet Minsk Cup will see the host team Dinamo Minsk compete against Admiral, Lada, and Metallurg. Each team represents a different KHL division and brings unique elements to the competition:
- Lada: This team arrives with a new coaching staff and a significantly reshaped roster, featuring nearly 50% new players.
- Admiral: Recognized alongside Dinamo Minsk as one of the most improved teams from the recent season, Admiral also boasts former Dinamo players Valentin Demchenko and Arseniy Kovgorenya, adding a layer of familiarity and rivalry.
- Dinamo Minsk: As the host club and a progressively developing team from the previous campaign, Dinamo Minsk will be eager to perform strongly on home ice.
- Metallurg: The reigning KHL champions are poised to defend their title, arriving with an even more formidable offense, strengthened by the additions of Derek Barrak, Ruslan Iskhakov, and Sergei Tolchinsky.
Tournament Format and Detailed Schedule
The tournament will be played in a round-robin format across two venues: the Olympic Arena and Chizhovka Arena. The opening game will see Admiral face Lada, while Metallurg and Admiral will conclude the event. Here is the complete schedule:
- August 11, 14:00 (MSK/GMT+3): Admiral vs. Lada
- August 12, 19:00 (MSK/GMT+3): Dinamo Minsk vs. Lada
- August 13, 19:00 (MSK/GMT+3): Dinamo Minsk vs. Admiral
- August 14, 14:00 (MSK/GMT+3): Lada vs. Metallurg
- August 15, 19:00 (MSK/GMT+3): Dinamo Minsk vs. Metallurg
- August 17, 11:00 (MSK/GMT+3): Metallurg vs. Admiral
Live Broadcast Information
Hockey fans can catch all the action live, as every match of the Fonbet Minsk Cup will be broadcast directly on KHL TV.
Gareth Tenby