Salei Cup 2020 to kick off with six matches

The Salei Cup 2020 will start with six matches of the group stage in Zhlobin, Soligorsk, Gomel, Molodechno, Mogilev and Orsha on 6 August, BelTA has learned.

Fourteen teams divided into two groups will compete at this stage of the tournament which was called Belarus Cup before 2013. The two best teams will advance to the final round.

Teams in Group A will open the tournament at 17.45. HC Metallurg Zhlobin will play HC Aviator Baranovichi, HC Shakhtyor Soligorsk will face HC Khimik Novopolotsk. At 19.00 HC Gomel will take on HC Vitebsk.

In Group B HC Dinamo Molodechno will play Belarus' U18 national team, HC Mogilev will face HC Lida, and HC Lokomotiv Orsha will take on HC Pinskiye Yastreby. The face off is at 19.00.

The Salei Cup matches will be played on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. The final match is scheduled for 22 August. After the group stage the teams will have a one-week break.

The Salei Cup Final is due to take place as part of the Final Four on 29-30 August. On the first competition day the winners of the group stage will play HC Yunost Minsk and HC Dinamo Minsk. The second competition day will feature medal matches.

The venue for the Final Four will be announced after the group stage.

The Salei Cup reigning champion is HC Yunost Minsk. Last year the Minsk team edged HC Dinamo Molodechno 3-2 in the final.