This Friday sees the return of the Euro Hockey League, Europe's elite club hockey tournament for men. Twenty-four of Europe's finest teams will be playing in the first rounds of this pioneering event.

Twelve teams will take part in Round 1a at Amsterdam H&BC over the coming weekend, with the other 12 sides heading to Northern France as Lille MHC host Round 1b, starting on October 31st. Last year's event was won by UHC Hamburg (Uhlenhorster) and was considered to be a massive success by everyone involved - it is hoped that this season will be even better.

Here we take a look at the teams competing in the Amsterdam tournament, as the sides in Pools A, B, C and D aim for a top two finish to progress into the next round.
Pool A: Der Club an der Alster (GER), Club Egara (ESP), KS Pocztowiec Poznan (POL)
Team to watch: Club Egara

Knocked out in the semi-final stage by eventual winners UHC Hamburg (Uhlenhorster), Club Egara are more determined than ever to achieve European success. The biggest symbol of that desire is the incredible signing of legendary Spanish international Pol Amat, who returns to his home club after many years with fellow EHL side Real Club de Polo de Barcelona. Alongside the mercurial Edi Tubau and penalty corner expert Guillermo ÔÇ£WillyÔÇØ Schickendantz, Egara have a squad capable of greatness in this year's Euro Hockey League.

Pool B: St Germain (FRA), D├╝sseldorfer HC (GER), HC Bra (ITA)
Team to Watch: St Germain HC

St Germain, the current champions of France, turned many heads during last season's EHL. The side battled through their group in Round 1, securing draws against top European competitors Reading HC and the then European champions Crefelder HTC. They then knocked out KS Pocztowiec Poznan at KO16 at Club Egara before eventually falling to the host team at the quarter final stage. St Germain are entirely unpredictable and are capable of going far in this year's tournament. Gerome Branquart and Charles Verrier are both players who can make a difference for the Parisians.

Pool C: WKS Grunwald Poznan (POL), Amsterdam H&BC (NED), Olimpia Kolos Sekvoia (UKR)
Team to Watch: Amsterdam H&BC

Amsterdam H&BC are arguably the strongest team in Pool C and also have the benefit of a passionate home crowd supporting them all the way. The famous club - the oldest in the Netherlands - lifted the EuroHockey Club Champions Cup in 2005, but missed out on the inaugural Euro Hockey League last year. They will be determined to make a big impact on the tournament, and have some genuinely world class players amongst their ranks. When it comes to penalty corners there are few better that Taeke Taekema, but the side also possesses an open play goal threat in the shape of Spanish international Santi Freixa.

Pool D: HC Bloemendaal (NED), Cannock HC (ENG), Dinamo Kazan (RUS)
Team to Watch: HC Bloemendaal

One of the most famous club sides in the world are also blessed with two of the game's best players. Teun de Nooijer is joined at the club by brilliant Australian striker Jamie Dwyer. It is Dwyer's second spell at Bloemendaal, having been a central figure in the team that won the EuroHockey Cup Winners Cup in 2006. Between them, De Nooijer and Dwyer have claimed the past five FIH World Player of the Year titles, with de Nooijer winning three times, and Dwyer twice. Could this attacking pair take HC Bloemendaal to Euro Hockey League glory?

The first rounds of the Euro Hockey League are being televised by various stations, with many matches being aired live. A full broadcast schedule is available on the Euro Hockey League website. The matches will also be uploaded onto the Euro Hockey League website each evening, allowing you to catch all of the day's action on your computer screen.

Throughout each tournament day you will be able to follow the action as it happens, with match reports, photos and news stories constantly being added throughout the duration of the event. Daily round-ups from the Euro Hockey League will be placed here on www.worldhockey.org every evening.

For more information, please visit Euro Hockey League's new interactive website: www.ehlhockey.tv.

Source: EHL


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