On January 20, 2025, the National Bank of Slovakia will issue a commemorative 2 euro coin and a silver 10 euro coin themed around the 100th anniversary of the European Ice Hockey Championships held in what is now Slovakia. This collector's duo will be among the particularly interesting releases, similar to coins dedicated to Milan Rastislav Štefánik and Alexander Dubček. 
In 1925, the European Ice Hockey Championships were supposed to be held in Prague, with a backup location at the pond in the town of Tábor in case of bad weather. However, due to a thaw, the games were moved to the frozen Štrbské Pleso. Even there, the matches did not take place. The championships were eventually played in Starý Smokovec. Teams from Czechoslovakia, Belgium, Austria, and Switzerland competed against each other. The games were played in two halves, in a round-robin format. The home team won the championship without conceding a single goal.
NBS announced a competition for the coin designs in February 2024. Four authors with eight designs entered the competition. First place was awarded to Karol Ličko, who combined the legacy of the sporting event with the Tatras in his design. Second place went to Imrich Svitana, and third place was taken by another design from Karol Ličko.
The commemorative 2 € coin also comes from Karol Ličko. The reverse of the coin is almost identical to the obverse of the 10 € coin, which features a hockey forward with the Tatra peaks in the background.
The event is also commemorated by a collector's 0 Euro note. The dominant feature is a historical scene from ice hockey, where the main character – a goalie in period gear – guards the goal and faces an attack with concentration. This iconic figure of early hockey takes you back to the days when the first European hockey battles were played outdoors on frozen lakes. 
In the background, we see a beautiful Tatra scenery, highlighting that Slovakia was not only the venue for this significant event but also a place with an unforgettable natural backdrop.
The winning order of the tournament adorns the top part of the 0 Euro note, clearly stating the first place for Czechoslovakia, followed by Austria and Switzerland. This detailed reminder of historical success adds a strong national character to the motif.
The motif of the 0 Euro note was created by renowned author Adrian Ferda, capturing not only the historical significance but also the artistic value of this 0 Euro note.
The releases of the silver, as well as the commemorative 2 € coin and the 0 Euro note, will become a beautiful reminder of a significant sporting event. Thanks to this event, the importance of the High Tatras as a place where natural beauty meets human courage and perseverance was emphasized. Despite adverse weather and organizational complications, unique conditions for an international sporting meeting were created, which still resonates in sports history.
You can order them here: www.nunofi.sk/strieborne-mince/ www.nunofi.sk/slovensko-7/