Eurolanche

My 100 games

When I started cheering for the Colorado Avalanche in 2000, my goal gradually became to watch at least one of their games live. Later, I even mentioned it in an ethics class where we discussed our life goals. The teacher laughed at me for it... In 2007, I founded Eurolanche, at first as a simple forum for European fans. Suddenly it was 2008, we were sitting with Peter Budaj in Banská Bystrica, Slovakia when he suggested we come directly to Denver. We didn't hesitate and in December Eurolanche Invasion I began.  

I will never forget my first game. It's like everything you experience for the first time. It applies to both good and bad things. That feeling of being in Denver, stepping over the dust of the Pepsi Center back then, suddenly seeing the head coach in the bowels of the hall, watching the game against the Detroit Red Wings and finally enjoying your first win... Priceless.  

Years passed and suddenly Eurolanche became a phenomenon among fans. We were no longer a European, but a global fan club. Trips followed trips, matches increased. I returned to Colorado almost every year with short breaks. Until I got to see my 100th game at Eurolanche on Tour XV, against the Winnipeg Jets. After more than 16 years since the first game, 14 personal participations on trips, one individual and two European doubles games, it came. And the balance of all 100 games? 58-33-9.  

It was not easy to reach this milestone. A lot of people who supported us over the years contributed to this. I have already mentioned a large part of them in the book 10 years of the Eurolanche Fan Club. There will definitely be another publication where this list will be expanded - so I will not name them in this article, they would not fit here. It's mainly about the local fans, the Americans, our friends who never stopped supporting us. Thank you!  

The following is a selection of photos with short captions that I took the liberty of choosing for this personal anniversary of mine. I won't go into detail here, I could write endlessly, describing in detail some of the games, my feelings, sorrows and obstacles that I faced even in Colorado... I have watched a hundred games of the Colorado Avalanche, I am very grateful for that, so you can remember them with me now.

My first game. Avalanche vs. Red Wings. December 26, 2008. Won 4:3 after a shootout with Budaj in goal.

I visited the Avs locker room twice thanks to Marek Svatoš and Jan Hejda.

I also once managed to meet the legendary general manager Pierre Lacroix.

Watching Avs games from the front row has always been a unique experience.

For several years, we were able to meet Avs players right after the games.

Once I even participated in a halftime competition right on the ice of the arena.

When I was still working as a journalist, I got accreditation for a few Avs games - it was another experience to watch the games of my favorite team.

We were surprised to meet Joe Sakic right in the arena.

Thanks to Jake Schroeder, we once got into the suite from where we watched the game.

We watched another game once, and after it was over, we drove nonstop to Minnesota for our first game at the opponent's field.

The first game away from home is definitely unforgettable. Out of 100 games, I saw 15 outside of Colorado and another 4 in Europe.

Many times we found ourselves right on the jumbotron.

Eurolanche has created many long-term friendships, even at least one marriage. I really value my friendship with Jake Schroeder. It's a shame he's no longer the anthem singer in the arena.

It was difficult, but in the end it was possible thanks to the then head of the PR department, Jean Martineau - we met Patrick Roy himself once.

I can't miss the first outdoor game at the baseball stadium.

During the first outdoor game, I was interviewed live on NBC Sports by Jeremy Roenick. I've done a lot of interviews over the years, so thanks for every opportunity to represent the fan club like this.

We had numerous meetings with Peter McNab, who was one of our big supporters.

I can't forget the meetings with local fans, like Stephen here, who are incredibly important to us - we are grateful for their support, without which we wouldn't have made it to Colorado so many times.

I honored the memory of Marek Svatoš by wearing his jersey during the ninth tour. This shot was taken after the last game.

The trip to California was also memorable, how loudly we cheered during the game against the Sharks from the very last row, which was standing room only.

The trip to Sweden for two Avs games was the biggest event for Eurolanche at the time.

I was interviewed many times at the Pepsi Center and later at the Ball Arena - especially by Nicole Hurdle and Alexis Perry.

I also found myself in a competition during the break - my friend Jim and I were doing "jumping jacks" which was broadcated on a jumbotron.

I remember when we met Pavel Francouz and Martin Kaut during inside the arena at the game - they were sitting in the stands as spectators, they were still playing for the Colorado Eagles at the time and many fans didn't know them, what had changed a few months later.

During one of the breaks, I also went for a ride on a zamboni.

The second outdoor game was also a great experience.

I also took a solo trip to Colorado - I flew ten times in ten days and saw six winning games, not just in Colorado.

The biggest Eurolanche event was a trip to Finland with two wins and endless parties.

We also had the opportunity to watch the pre-game warm-up directly from the Avs bench.

I missed the playoff games until 2024 - eventually that changed and I made it.

And that's how I got to game number 100, January 23, 2025 against the Winnipeg Jets: