Hilversum, December 16, 2013, - Following the completion of the Round 1 events in October and the announcement that MHC Oranje Zwart will host the unique KO16/FINAL4 double event at Easter, the Euro Hockey League (EHL) and the European Hockey Federation (EHF) are pleased to reveal the draw for the KO16 round of the competition.
KO16/FINAL4 marks the start of an intense, action-packed five-day knock-out phase, with the 16 teams toughing it out until only the new EHL champion is left standing. Among the top teams to qualify for KO16 are Dutch Champions H.C. Rotterdam, German giants Rot-Weiss Köln, Belgian aces Waterloo Ducks and English Champions Beeston HC.
KO16
The so-called KO16 is the jewel in the crown of the EHL, being an event that witnesses sixteen of the finest club teams in Europe going head-to-head in knock-out action. Just four teams will remain in the competition at the end of this three day event, forming the line-up for the grand finale: EHL FINAL4. The knock-out format ensures that every game has meaning, with each team knowing that defeat will result in elimination from the world’s greatest club hockey competition. The KO16 matches will take place on April 16th and 17th, with the quarter final (KO8) matches being played on April 18th.
Grand finale: FINAL 4
The final stage of the EHL tournament is the thrilling FINAL4. This will be the grand finale. During Easter the four best teams will challenge each other and fight for the prestigious EHL 2014 title and win the much-coveted Alain Danet Trophy. These finals will be played on Sunday April 20th and Monday April 21st. Former winners include the Dutch teams HC Bloemendaal (2013, 2009) and HGC (2011) and German’s UHC Hamburg (2012, 2010, 2008).
Players that make the difference
The EHL tournament will feature many of the world’s greatest players giving their all to achieve the dream of winning the greatest prize in club hockey. Countless international players will be on show at KO16 and FINAL4 in Eindhoven, including Dutch international superstars Jeroen Hertzberger (H.C. Rotterdam) and Mink van der Weerden (MHC Oranje Zwart), Germany legends Benni Wess and Christopher Zeller (both Rot-Weiss Köln), English superstars Adam Dixon (Beeston HC) and Simon Mantell (Reading HC) as well as many, many more.
New competitors
SV Kampong (NED), Harvestehuder THC (GER) and Surbiton HC (ENG) have all reached KO16 in their very first Euro Hockey League season. These clubs will be hoping to push on through KO16 to the EHL FINAL4 tournament.
Editors’ choice
Although every match at KO16/FINAL4 Eindhoven has the potential to be hugely entertaining, there are a number of truly mouth-watering fixtures.
SV Kampong (NED) versus KHC Dragons (BEL): Kampong made a stunning début in the Euro Hockey League at Round 1.2 Lille, breaking the record for the highest number of goals scored in one match with a thumping 14-0 victory over SC Stroitel Brest of Belarus. Kampong then recorded a hugely impressive 4-2 triumph over German champions Rot-Weiss Köln, a team containing a number of Olympic Gold medallists including Benni Wess and the Zeller brothers, Christopher and Philipp. Their opponents Belgium’s Dragons are rightly considered to be one of Europe’s most feared teams, and were Silver medallists in last season’s EHL. Their team contains some of the hottest talents in Belgian hockey, including penalty corner expert Loick Luypaert and attacker Florent van Aubel. It promises to be a sensational contest.
Harvestehuder THC (GER) versus HTC Uhlenhorst Mülheim (GER): An all-German encounter between two of Germany’s most impressive teams. Like Kampong, Harvestehuder made a big impression as EHL debutantes at Round 1.1 Barcelona, surging to the top spot in Pool D with victories over Cardiff & Met (9-1) and English Champions Beeston (3-2). The team lead by double Olympic Gold medallist Tobias Hauke have established themselves as one of the tournament favourites, but meetings between two teams from the same nation are always unpredictable. Mülheim have a seriously strong team, and if the likes of giant striker Thilo Stralkowski and rising star Christopher Rühr – unquestionably one of the hottest young talents in the game – are on form then there is no telling what might happen.
The complete draw can be found below.
The Draw...
Match Schedule
The following matches are scheduled:
Wednesday 16 April 2014 (KO16)
11.30 Club de Campo de Madrid (ESP) v Saint Germain HC (FRA)
14.00 Harvestehuder THC (GER) v HTC Uhlenhorst Mulheim (GER)
16.30 HC Rotterdam (NED) v WKS Grunwald Poznan (POL)
19.00 SV Kampong (NED) v KHC Dragons (BEL)
Thursday 17 April 2014 (KO16)
11.30 RC Polo de Barcelona (ESP) v Reading HC (ENG)
14.00 Racing Club de Bruxelles (BEL) v KTHC Rot – Weiss Koln (GER)
16.30 Waterloo Ducks (BEL) v Beeston HC (ENG)
19.00 MHC Oranje Zwart (NED) v Surbiton HC (ENG)
Friday 18 April 2014
11.30 Club de Campo de Madrid/Saint Germain HC v Harvestehuder THC/HTC Uhlenhorst Mulheim
14.00 Waterloo Ducks/Beeston HC v Racing Club de Bruxelles/KTHC Rot-Weiss Koln
16.30 HC Rotterdam/WKS Grunwald Poznan v SV Kampong/KHC Dragons
19.00 MHC Oranje Zwart/Surbiton HC v RC Polo de Barcelona/Reading HC
Sunday 20 April 2014 (KO4 / Semi Finals)
H.C. Rotterdam / Grunwald / Kampong / Dragons
versus
OZ / Surbiton / RC Polo / Reading
WatDucks / Beeston / RC Bruxelles / RW Köln
versus
Campo / St Germain / Harvestehuder / Mülheim
Round 5 (Final) 21 April 2014
Bronze medal match: (Loser SF 1 v Loser SF 2)
Final: (Winner SF 1 v Winner SF 2)
Note: Match times and schedule subject to change due to the requirements of television or other factors as determined by EHL. EHF / December 2013.
Source: Euro Hockey League Media Release
