Champions League: McKiernan's memories of his big moment in the final

Wednesday, 18. January 2023 | Champions League: McKiernan's memories of his big moment in the final

CHL final set: McKiernan's memories of his big moment// CHL - CURRENTThe Red Bulls are well on their way to qualifying for the next edition of the Champions League as well. It would be the ninth time in the club's history.

Unlike last year, the semi-finals of the European top division took place without Red Bull Munich this season. In the second legs on Tuesday evening, Tappara Tampere (FIN) prevailed in a duel with EV Zug (SUI), while Luleå HF (SWE) eliminated league rival and CHL record champion Frölunda Göteborg (SWE). This means that at least one team from Sweden will be represented in the final of the eighth Champions League.

McKiernan on the "incredible feeling"

"I didn't watch the semi-final second legs live, but I will definitely watch the final on February 18," says Ryan McKiernan. About a year ago, our defender was still in the final with his then club Rögle Ängelholm, fighting against Tappara for the much-coveted trophy.

"In a final like this, everything is just even more fun. The action around it is also on another level - for example, we even had a spidercam installed in the stadium," recalls our defender. "It's simply an incredible feeling to have been a part of it. I'll never forget the moment I raised the trophy in the air," McKiernan continues.

The record is something to behold

The U.S.-born player would like to experience déjà vu next year with the Red Bulls, but "first of all, we still have a big goal in mind this season. But the Champions League is of course a very present topic in Munich," knows McKiernan, who is a big fan of the international competition: "What could be better than competing with the best players and teams from all over Europe?"

Don Jackson's team qualified for the top division for the first time in the 2015/16 season. Since then, the Red Bulls have always secured a starting spot for the CHL. But that's not all: Munich has made it to the playoffs in each of its eight previous participations - twice to the round of 16 and 16, once to the quarterfinals and semifinals. In 2019, Munich's path even led to the final. No other team from the PENNY DEL has made it that far. The "only" thing missing is the big coup.