1908 Austro-Hungarian Bandy Championship

The 1908 Austro-Hungarian Bandy Championship (alternatively known as the International Austrian Championship and the Austrian Ice Hockey Championship) was contested in Prague on January 5 and 6, 1908. The competition was organized by the Prager Ruch club.

To the displeasure of SK Slavia Praha, the organizers did not allow their player, Františka Buriánka (aka Burry), to compete. He also played tennis, which the organizers apparently did not recognize. In response, Slavia withdrew from the competition, and the tournament was contested without their presence.

Leipziger SC and AC Sparta Praha (due to the withdrawal of Slavia) received byes directly to the semifinals. Leipziger SC won the championship over DEHG Prag, 13-3. In an exhibition match prior to the tournament, Slavia had defeated DEHG 21-4. The result of the final pained Slavia, as they had defeated the runner-up by a greater margin than the champion, Leipzig.

After the tournament, the Prager Zeitung wrote that [trans.] "Prague had again provided evidence that it is at the top of sporting Austria."

The state of Austrian hockey was remarked upon by the Leipzig coach after the tournament. He stated he was amazed by the number of clubs that existed throughout the land, estimating there to be about 12. He also noted the varying skill levels between the clubs, and said the best squads were DEHG Prag and AC Sparta Praha.

Tournament

First round

• BK Mladá Boleslav 15 - Prager Ruch 5
• DEHG Prag 14 - KČV Valašské Meziříčí 2
• AC Sparta Praha - SK Slavia Praha - walkover

Semifinals

• DEHG Prag 5 - AC Sparta Praha 4
• Leipziger SC 10 - BK Mladá Boleslav 1

Final

• Leipziger SC 13 - DEHG Prag 3

Contemporary accounts

• 

  Part one of the January 7 issue of the Prager Tagblatt.

• 

  Part two of the January 7 issue.

• 

  Part three of the January 7 issue.

• 

  Part four of the January 7 issue.

• 

  Part five of the January 7 issue.

Sources

• History of Czech hockey
• Prager Tagblatt