The Kölner Haie (English: Cologne Sharks) are an ice hockey club based in Cologne, Germany that plays in the professional Deutsche Eishockey Liga (DEL). The team was one of the founding members of the DEL. The Kölner Haie play their home games in the DEL and the German Cup (DEB-Pokal) at the Lanxess Arena, which opened in 1998, located in the district Deutz. With room for 18,500 spectators, Lanxess Arena is amongst the biggest multi-functional arenas in Europe, and the Kölner Haie have the second highest average attendance in European ice hockey behind Swiss team SC Bern. Previously, the Kölner Haie played their home games at the Eisstadion an der Lentstraße. A strong local rivalry exists between the Kölner Haie and the Düsseldorfer EG, of neighboring Düsseldorf. Games between the two teams often sell out. History 1972 to 1976: Foundation and relegation In summer, 1972 the hockey department of the Kölner EK (KEK) which made the puck play in Cologne in different lower classes able of drawing room since 1936 separated from the family association. The members believed to be able to play as an independent association successful hockey, because so more freedom of choice and better financial possibilities existed. 10 August 1972 the independence of the hockey department was decided and Peter Rentergent was appointed the president of the new Kölner EC (KEC). Because the KEC remained first still to the old club as an independent department connected – one was called first Kölner EC in the Kölner EK – the team might begin directly in the second division. The KEK was furthermore a member in the German Ice Hockey Federation and, hence, owned a start authorisation for this play class. The new association should be called originally only Kölner EC – what did not admit, however, the association register because of the resemblance to the Kölner EK. Hence, the addition "The sharks" was added later to the association name. Also in the first logo which the goalkeeper at that time and artist Dieter Horký sketched the shark was illustrated. Today the shark is the unmistakable brand name of the club and since 1995 also officially part of the name. Immediately in the first season 1972/73 in the second division succeeded the sharks consider the rise in the Eishockey-Bundesliga. With strong players like Detlef Langemann, Wim Hospelt or player and manager Günter Peter occupied team degraded the opponents in