Genève-Servette beatSkellefteå AIK 3-2 in yesterday’s 2024 Champions Hockey League Final. The Swiss team came out hungry, scoring three within the first 20 minutes, but had to weather a late surge from the visiting Swedes to seal the lavish title of 2024 European Club Champions.
After the game we caught up with Genève’s Jussi Olkinuora, the club’s elite goalie who made some huge saves on the night to keep the Swiss side ahead.
"All about energy control"Jussi Olkinuora, Genève-Servette
Catching a glimpse of Olkinuora during the game – arms back, relaxing – it’s hard to believe he’s playing a CHL Final. How does he manage a game like this?
“With so many people here and the weather it’s very hot so I would say physically it’s demanding. It was all about energy control for me today,” he replied.
The atmosphere in Geneva’s Patinoire des Vernets was electric. Fans flooded the arena hours before the game, sang and chanted down to the final minutes and celebrated with their team long into the night.
Anticipating this, Genève created an outside fan zone which filled up in record time. How did Olkinoura rate the crowd and atmosphere of the game?
“Well, it was sold out, the atmosphere was amazing all game long,” he noted, adding, “It’s just really something to remember.”