Welcome. This game starts at 19:30 CET.

It is the final countdown to the start of the Champions Hockey League. On Thursday evening 7:30pm the puck will drop between Germany's runner-up Kölner Haie and Slovakian champion HC Košice.

Cologne lost their first and only pre-season game against league rival Iserlohn Roosters 4-1, but are still confidentially looking forward to their first home game of the season. With new arrivals and a lot of experienced players, coach Uwe Krupp feels confident to continue their overall good performance.

HC Košice played a fantastic season in Slovakia last year and especially 40-year-old Peter Bartos developed into a playoff hero. His team is fairly ready for the showdown in European hockey, but they certainly know that it won't be an easy challenge in Cologne on Thursday.

Starting lineups:

Kölner Haie: Aus den Birken (Stefaniszin) – Sulzer, Mo. Müller – Krupp, Tjärnqvist – Ankert, Lüdemann – Schmolz, Zerressen – Rankin, Falk, Ma. Müller – Minard, Johnson, Gogulla – Tripp, Stephens, Ohmann – Riefers, Pfohl, Weiss

HC Košice: Melichercik (Hylak) – Cernak, Philipp – Cebak, Janosik – Drgon, Kloucek – Macejko, Strbak – Spilar, Bartos, Jencik – Hrnka, Zagrapan, Bartanus – Bicek, Cesik, Kolena – Hindos, Chovan, Stupka

Referees: S. Persson (SWE), M. Krawinkel (GER) – B. Hoppe (GER), Ch. Hurtik (GER).

The teams have just finished warm-up and are waiting for the first puck drop. A handful of players are missing on both sides of the ice. While Cologne is without defenseman Holmqvist and forward Iggulden, the Slovakian team has to go without Pasek, Sojcik and new arrival Lapsansky.

Between all Cologne supporters in the LANXESS arena, you can even find roughly 20-30 Košice fans waving their flags during the pre-game intro of the Kölner Haie.

The Kölner Haie hit the ice first in red jerseys. HC Košice will be playing in white. First bully is just a few seconds away.

Quick changes on both sides right at the start of the game, but no dangerous attacks yet.

HC Košice with the first two shots on goal. Solid saves by aus den Birken.

Cologne manages to generate more pressure in direction of Melichercik but can not find a good shot on goal yet. The crowd is supporting their home team loudly.

Wrap around try by Ohmann was saved by Melichercik.

Cologne with good penalty killing and even a 2 on 1 breakaway chance, but the all important pass does not connect.

Ankert back on ice and we have our first powerbreak of the game.

A few small chances on both ends so far, but both goalies are not facing any dangerous shots yet.

Gogulla with another shot on goal for Cologne, but Kosice finally gets good chances towards aus den Birken after finding their powerplay formation.

Cologne complete.

The match becomes more interesting as the Slovakian champion gets more good shots on goal.

Cologne has the chance to get momentum back. Delayed penalty is called.

It first looked like Kosice found their rhythm faster than Cologne, especially after their second Powerplay, but Sulzer strikes back with a beautiful shot during a delayed penalty.

The games calms down a bit with a lot of whistles in the neutral zone.

Last minute of the first period.

Cologne has more puck possession since their 1-0 lead and is starting to control the game. Kosice is still fighting though.

A lot of giveaways in the first minute of the second period followed by an icing from Kosice. Faceoff in their defensive zone.

Cologne continues with a lot of puck possession but is not taking any risks.

Powerplay over. Kosice complete again.

Still a lot of turnovers in the game, but Kosice is finding another shot on goal of aus den Birken, who controls the rebound well to the far corner.

Bartos with another shot that went wide followed by a long pass of Cologne through the neutral zone that misses Mo. Müller just by an inch. The game is getting quicker.

Cologne shows a solid penalty kill and is even generating chances. Another shorthanded shot on goal by Alexander Weiss.

The Slovakian champion could not find their powerplay formation. Krupp is back on the ice for Cologne. 5 against 5 again.

Faceoff, pass, shot and nice looking glove save by Melichercik.

Cologne gets stronger and stronger. Rankin shots another puck which finds the glove of Melichercik.

We are live in an exciting last period, where two teams are fighting for their first win in the Champions Hockey League respectively. Cologne is leading by one.

Yet another shot by Kolena saved by aus den Birken. This game is not over yet.

Cologne seems to be a bit nervous, but are still trying to control the game. They are giving away too much pucks though.

Back and forth between both ends of the ice without any good chances. Looks like the calm before the storm?

Penalty over. Cologne with five players again.

Cologne is coming back with a huge breakaway chance right after Kosice's powerplay. Another shot finds the glove of Melichercik a few seconds later. 10 minutes remaining.

The Haie are generating more pressure in the Slovakian zone. Intense battles on the boards followed by more shots on goal.

Not only battles on the boards but also in front of the goal of Melichercik, which moves the net and we get a faceoff in the offensive zone for Cologne.

Every shot on goal is important at this stage of the game. Marcel Müller tries a bad angle shot, but Melichercik turns it into the crowd.

Kloucek with a nice tip in try infront of aus den Birken but misses the net. Cologne clears the zone with 30 seconds remaining on the penalty.

Cologne kills the penalty. A bit more than 4 minutes to go.

Tic-tac-passes from Falk to Marcel Müller in front of Melichercik, who stays big in his net and makes an important save for his team.

Exciting last period with 2 minutes remaining. Cologne with a lot of pressure towards Melichercik.

Visiting team timeout.

Big scramble in front of aus den Birken. Kosice just can not find the way to beat the German netminder.

Empty Net Kosice.