The Belfast Giants Warrior Cup final in Kaufbeuren ended without the trophy. After a weekend of European hockey, they fell to Red Bull München.
Red Bull München — DEL heavyweights, tournament favourites — beat Adam Keefe’s side 5-1 at the Energie Schwaben Arena. The Giants had already done the hard bit on Saturday, knocking out HC Ambrì-Piotta 6-3 to reach the final. München had brushed past hosts ESV Kaufbeuren. On Sunday the silverware stayed in Bavaria.
Gaudet’s early break
For a stretch of the first period, Belfast looked like they belonged on the same sheet. Goalie Tyler Kupsky was busy and sharp — tipping away a Ville Pokka chance, then denying Chris DeSousa. Late in the period Mark Gaudet pounced on a loose puck and made it 1-0.
München’s Mathias Niederberger then stood up to Cockerill and Shudra. Pearson rang one into the side netting. Scott Conway sat a four-minute high-sticking call. The lead was thin. The afternoon was about to open up.
Second period — the dam breaks
Patrick Hager levelled it at 1-1. Tobias Rieder made it 1-2 on a rebound after Kupsky had blocked DeSousa. Then came the nightmare stretch: two Giants in the box, and Rieder again — another rebound, this time off a Markus Eisenschmid shot — for 1-3.
Kupsky kept throwing out reaction stops on DeSousa and Trevor Carrick. The scoreboard did not care. München had the final by the throat.
Third — Kahun and McKenna finish it
Kupsky denied Maximilian Kastner early in the third. Dominik Kahun made it 1-4. Jeremy McKenna added a late fifth. Belfast still created looks — Piccinich, Lee, Pearson off the post, Prefontaine and Jensen — and Conway kept hunting. The chances did not turn into a comeback.
Final: Belfast Giants 1 – 5 Red Bull München
Where: Energie Schwaben Arena, Kaufbeuren
When: Sunday 6 September 2026 · Warrior Cup final
What comes next
The weekend in Kaufbeuren was still worth the trip — a final against one of Germany’s top sides, in front of a loud European crowd, with the Challenge Cup and Elite League still to come.
Next up on the domestic calendar: Challenge Cup action on the road at Dundee this Saturday. Then the first competitive home night of the season at The O2 Belfast — Dundee Stars, Saturday 19 September, 7pm. Tickets via the Belfast Giants and The O2 Belfast.
Read more: Belfast Giants Warrior Cup: BELFAST GIANTS THROUGH TO WARRIOR CUP FINAL · Belfast Giants: Season Guide — Fixtures, Tickets and Match Nights
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