“Ice hockey and Škoda have been an ideal match for over three decades. That’s precisely why we wanted to support the IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship again this year as the Official Main Sponsor. Furthermore, we particularly enjoyed being close to the fans in the arenas. We are delighted that they could experience many thrilling moments at the heart of the action, aligning seamlessly with our brand claim, ‘Let’s explore’.”
Martin Jahn, Škoda Auto Board Member for Sales and Marketing
MVP presented with trophy made from Bohemian crystal
With a clear 5:2 victory over Germany, Canada came out on top yesterday at the 2023 IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship. The Czech team secured 8th place in the tournament, which was held from 12 May to 28 May 2023 in the Finnish city of Tampere and the Latvian capital Riga. Latvian goaltender Arturts Silovs was presented with the award for ‘Most Valuable Player’ of the tournament after the gold medal game by Škoda Auto Board Member for Sales and Marketing, Martin Jahn.
The design and finish of the MVP trophy created by Peter Olah, Head of Interior Design at Škoda Auto, evokes skating tracks on the ice. Measuring 35 cm in height, 22 cm in width and weighing 5 kg, the trophy was first blown into the desired shape and then intricately cut and finished. Its design combines the harmonious proportions and the distinctively drawn lines of Škoda’s current models with the dynamism of ice hockey. One of the country’s oldest industries, glassmaking in the region has a longstanding tradition of excellence and is based on the skills, experience and training of glassmakers to be able to create attractive and elegant products and discover new processes and techniques.
Sponsorship extended by another four years, new brand identity displayed in the arenas
Škoda Auto has supported the IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship since 1992, initially as a mobility partner and then just one year later also as the Official Main Sponsor. Last summer, this partnership was extended for at least another four years. As such, Škoda Auto again provided the tournament organisers with a vehicle fleet; 45 mainly electric vehicles bearing the logos of Škoda Auto and the 2023 IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship met all mobility needs. Spectators also got to experience a variety of different models in the arenas. Throughout the event, the Czech carmaker also presented its new brand identity, including a completely redesigned wordmark and picture mark, in and around the arenas.
Experience even more with Škodaverse and the 2023 IIHF App powered by Škoda
Škodaverse virtual 3D reality gave fans the chance to get even closer to the 2023 IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship action. Under the banner ‘Explore the Action’, it offered an exciting array of features: entertaining games, interactions with other fans using customisable Škoda avatars, an NFT gallery and much more. As in previous years, Škoda also supported the IIHF App, which gave ice hockey enthusiasts access to key information on the tournament, such as scores and statistics, as well as a live ticker with goal alerts.
