GLASGOW — Great Britain's men's and women's national teams are set to make history in February when they compete together on home ice in the same competition for the first time at the European Cup of Nations at Braehead Arena in Glasgow. Twelve matches will be held from 11-14 February at the Scottish venue, and never before have both senior sides played on the same home ice in the same competition.
The European Cup of Nations started last year to feature more international games during the three international breaks per year, with teams competing in groups at different venues, and a women's tournament has been added this season. At Braehead, Great Britain's men will face Poland, Romania and Lithuania, while the women's side will take on the Netherlands, Slovenia and Spain. Great Britain travel to Poland for the first round of group games from 5-7 November, which will also feature Italy and Ukraine.
Ice Hockey UK chief executive Tim Bratton said: "Hosting the IIHF European Cup of Nations at Braehead Arena is a proud moment for British ice hockey. To have both our men's and women's national teams competing on home ice, together, for the first time in a competitive environment is genuinely historic."
Great Britain finished second in their first group stage this month, beating Spain and Slovenia but losing to hosts and section winners Poland. The February fixtures at Braehead will give both programmes the chance to build on that start in front of a home crowd as the expanded competition continues.