Zlín 2013: Thirteen Goals, Victory for Trenčín and the Night EUHL History Began

The Opening Face-Off That Made History

Wednesday, 6 November 2013 brought a sense of anticipation to Zlín. The city’s winter stadium hosted the official launch of a new international competition built around an ambitious idea: giving talented hockey players the opportunity to pursue their sporting careers while continuing their university education.

Representatives of the league and participating universities attended the opening ceremony. The Slovak and Czech national anthems were played, and shortly after 7 p.m., the moment everyone had been waiting for arrived.

The puck dropped, and EUHL history began.

Trenčín Take Control in the Second Period

Both teams entered the game determined to become the first winners in the newly established league.

The opening period ended level at 1–1, leaving the contest firmly in the balance.

Trenčín took the initiative in the second period, scoring three goals while allowing just one in reply. The Gladiators headed into the second intermission with a 4–2 lead.

It was a valuable advantage, but the game was far from over.

Seven Goals in a Thrilling Final Period

The final twenty minutes produced an open, attacking contest, with the teams adding seven goals between them.

Zlín refused to give up, scoring three times in an attempt to turn the game around. Trenčín, however, responded with four goals of their own to secure a historic victory.

At the final buzzer, the scoreboard read:

UTB Zlín 5–8 CityU Gladiators Trenčín
Period scores: 1–1, 1–3, 3–4

The Gladiators became the first team to win a game in the European University Hockey League. Their victory earned them the competition’s first points and a permanent place in the history of European university hockey.

The Gladiators’ Place Among the Founding Teams

CityU Gladiators Trenčín were one of the EUHL’s six founding teams, known as the “Original Six”.

Established in 2012, the club set out to create an environment in which sporting ambition could develop alongside academic life.

Team manager Lukáš Frývaldský played an important role in building the club, while former Slovak international Marián Smerčiak took charge as head coach.

The opening victory in Zlín gave the young team an important boost. It also demonstrated that Slovak university hockey could compete successfully on the international stage.

A Vision for European University Hockey

The EUHL grew from a clear ambition: to establish an international competition connecting sport, education and cooperation between universities.

Former Slovak international Ľubomír Sekeráš became a key figure in developing the project, reflecting his long-standing commitment to university hockey and supporting young athletes.

The league aimed to create opportunities for players who wanted to continue playing competitive hockey while earning a university degree.

What began in 2013 as an ambitious initiative gradually developed into an international competition bringing together university teams from several European countries.

Thirteen Years On, the Story Continues

Thirteen years have passed since that memorable evening in Zlín. Teams, players, coaches and venues have changed. The years have brought new challenges, victories, disappointments and unforgettable moments on the ice.

Throughout that journey, the founding idea has remained: hockey and education can go hand in hand.

As the EUHL looks back on its beginnings, that first game remains a defining moment. Every sporting story has an opening chapter, a first goal and a first winner.

Ours began on 6 November 2013 in Zlín.

Thirteen goals. Two university teams. One historic night.

And the story of the European University Hockey League continues.