After last year's semi-finals, the Olympics are looking to take a step forward.

The Ljubljana-based hockey team Olimpija has officially begun its preparations for the upcoming season, marking a new chapter after finishing second in last year's IceHL playoffs following a loss to Pustertal in the semifinals. The team held their first official training session at the Tivoli arena, drawing over 100 enthusiastic fans who filled the stands. This marks the start of a campaign aimed at building upon last season’s achievements and pushing further into the league standings. The new season will begin with two exhibition matches in Budapest against Ferencvaros on September 18, followed by another game in Fehervar the next day. The first regular-season match at home will take place on September 25 against KAC. The club's director, Anže Ulčar, expressed satisfaction with the current roster, noting that the core of the team remained intact despite some changes. New additions include former Slovenian national players Jan Urbas and Žiga Jeglič, both returning from German clubs, along with Canadian forwards Joshua Lawrence and Chris Douglas, and defender Žan Us, who previously played for Jesenice. Several players left the club this summer, including Tian Hebar, Jan Drozg, Luka Kolin, Lovro Kumanović, Dustin Tokarski, Evan Polei, Andrew MacWilliam, Rok Kapel, Alex Petan, and Robert Sabolič. Despite these departures, the team still fields 27 players, which is more than most teams in the league. Ulčar emphasized the importance of maintaining motivation among the remaining players while providing them with enough opportunities to develop and compete. Injuries have affected several key players, notably Bine Mašič, who suffered an injury during February's national team preparations and is currently recovering. Mašič shared his thoughts on the situation, stating that while injuries are an unfortunate part of sports, he aims to return stronger and rejoin the team as soon as possible. Similarly, Luka Gomboc, who recently joined from KAC, is also in the process of recovery and is not yet ready for competitive play. The club has announced plans to increase its budget by 10 percent for the upcoming season, with the exact amount depending on performance on the ice, ticket sales, and marketing revenue. Beyond financial aspects, Olimpija is also focusing on expanding its presence beyond the rink. The club will launch a regular podcast and is preparing a documentary film that will provide insight into the behind-the-scenes activities before the first official games. These initiatives aim to bring hockey closer to new audiences and the broader public. The IceHL league will feature 14 teams this season, with Gradca defending their title after defeating Pustertal in the finals. Pustertal eliminated Olimpija in the semifinals last season with a 4-1 series win. Olimpija's director, Anže Ulčar, reiterated the club's goal of winning the league within four years, emphasizing that while this is not a promise, the club is committed to doing everything necessary to achieve this objective. This includes ensuring proper conditions for players, effective training programs, and other essential factors. The team will face six preparatory matches before the official start of the season, beginning with two away games in Celje and Brunic, followed by a home game against Beljak on August 30 and a preparatory tournament in Germany's Bremerhaven. Ulčar acknowledged the challenge of attracting spectators to the Tivoli arena during the summer heat but expressed confidence in creating the right atmosphere for major matchups. With the new season approaching, Olimpija is determined to build on past successes and continue its pursuit of greater achievements in the IceHL league.