The atmosphere was fantastic when the German national ice hockey team won the runner-up title against Canada on 28 May. It was the first World Championship medal in 70 years. Six PENNY "Supporting 6" were certainly particularly excited: Jill, Marvin, Emma, Harald, Daniel and Corinna. They were the first of four groups to accompany the ice hockey professionals on site - a competition organised by PENNY and the German Ice Hockey Federation (DEB) made it possible.
Travelling to Tampere in Finland, living in a fan flat share with a professional ice hockey player, celebrating on the fan mile with visitors from all over the world and taking a look behind the scenes of the Nokia Arena - what sounds like a dream for ice hockey fans was experienced first-hand by PENNY employees. They followed the German ice hockey professionals to the World Championships as part of the "Supporting 6" and attended selected games in the Nokia Arena. Unique fan moments such as a visit to the Fan Zone, the Ice Hockey Hall of Fame and a meet & greet with the players JJ Peterka and Parker Tuomi were among the highlights of their five-day stay.
But the supporting programme with a scooter tour through Tampere, river floating and the roof walk on the roof of the Finlayson Area also generated a great deal of enthusiasm among the 24 supporters. They shared a flat with former national team player Christoph Ullmann. He was in charge of the first group of the Supporting 6 and is enthusiastic about the concept: "This is my second time taking part, last year in Helsinki and now in Tampere. What's on offer here, what PENNY is organising - it's great! You get to experience a lot of ice hockey in the city and the highlight is the German games, which is really brilliant. I'm delighted to be part of it!" He used his expertise to analyse the German team's games and gave the group an insight into his own career.
Jill, Marvin, Emma, Harald, Daniel and Corinna supported the DEB team as the first supporter group from 11 to 16 May at the games against Sweden, Finland and the USA. Their wish at the start of the World Cup was that Germany would "at least make it to the quarter-finals" The fact that the team actually reached the final against Canada, where they were defeated, but were still able to take home a World Cup medal after 70 years, was perhaps also due to the support of the PENNY fans ... Congratulations on the "hopeaa mitali" (Finnish: silver medal)!
The Supporting 6
Jill from Cologne
"I'm most looking forward to the games, the atmosphere, the people and the excitement. The game against the USA is the most exciting for me personally as I'm part American myself! But if I have to choose, I'll keep my fingers crossed for the German team, of course!"
Corinna from Selb
"I've heard about the Supporting 6 a few times on Instagram and Penny. I liked it and just gave it a go with the application! I'm looking forward to the experiences around the stadium, but of course especially to the Nokia Arena and the German matches."
Daniel from Mannheim
"Finland is an exciting country and a great ice hockey nation, so it just grabbed me: I wanted to support Germany and go as far as possible! We're watching the games against Finland, Sweden and the USA, and from my point of view those are the top opponents and favourites. So I'm looking forward to the games and having a good time in Finland!"
Harald from Villingen-Schwenningen
"Experiencing the German team up close is a highlight for me! There are lots of other great things on the programme, such as river floating and beer tasting."
PENNY is supporting the German national ice hockey team as a DEB Premium Partner for the second year running. The discounter was already at the side of the German national team at the Ice Hockey World Championships in Finland and the Germany Cup in Krefeld in 2022. The "Supporting 6" comprise a total of 24 ice hockey fans in four groups, two of whom are selected employees of PENNY or the REWE Group.
The other four supporters are PENNY customers. They take it in turns to accompany the German national ice hockey team to the Ice Hockey World Championship and experience unique fan moments. The PENNY Supporting 6 stands for emotion, passion and unique fan experiences.
Stefan Görgens, COO PENNY
Stefan Görgens, COO PENNY
Our involvement is a great way for PENNY to present itself as a brand. We have an enormous reach with ice hockey; there are over 10 million people interested in ice hockey in Germany. And of course ice hockey also benefits from our sponsorship, because our common goal is to develop ice hockey into the number two sport in Germany.
Peter Rack, Head of Loyalty, Content & Sponsoring at PENNY
Peter Rack, Head of Loyalty, Content & Sponsoring at PENNY
We are one of several premium partners of the DEB - but certainly the one that activates the most and fills the partnership with life. The DEB is open to new concepts and supports us with exclusive insights and experiences with the team, and we offer the DEB a huge platform with our 2,000 stores and our advertising materials. Next year at the World Championships in the Czech Republic, we will definitely be there again with the Supporting 6!
The 87th World Championship will take place in the Czech Republic from 10 to 26 May 2024. Harald has a tip for PENNY employees who would also like to support the "Supporting 6" on site: "Nothing ventured, nothing gained - take the chance and simply apply! Maybe you'll be as lucky as me and be there next time!" And who knows - maybe the German ice hockey pros will win the "zlatá medaile" (Czech: gold medal).