This is the eighth edition of the Euro Hockey league, which sees some of the best players to emerge from Europe doing battle for their club sides in a fascinating double event. The KO16 takes place on Wednesday 1 April and Thursday 2 April, with the winning eight teams then competing for the title on Saturday and Sunday.
All the action begins with the KO16. History repeats itself in the opening match as two of the teams who competed in the KO8 in 2008 – Saint Germain HC from France and Spanish team Club Egara – find themselves pitted against each other again.
Then the Euro Hockey League’s most successful side, UHC Hamburg, take to the field. Led by Moritz Fuerste, the German giants are looking to return to winning ways after a two year absence from the competition. But first they have to defeat Russian side Dinamo Kazan, a team that has participated in every edition of the EHL.
Another German giant, and the current holders of the title, Harvestehuder THC take on KHC Dragons of Belgium. The Dragons has won a medal in each of the past three seasons, so this should be one humdinger of a match.
The final match on day one of the KO16 sees Polish champions Pomorzanin Torun take on two-time winners of the EHL, HC Bloemendaal of the Netherlands. Pomorzanin is making its tournament debut, and with the likes of Tom Boon, Simon Gougnard and Rogier Hofman facing them, they will soon discover the heat in this competition.
The second day of KO16 sees the Spanish giants Real Club de Polo facing Rot Weiss Koln of Germany. This could billed ‘battle of the brothers’ as Spanish brothers Ramon and David Alegre take on Rot Weiss’ Christopher and Philipp Zeller.
Next up is Beeston, the sole representative from England, who face Royal Daring of Belgium. The Bees have overcome an injury-ridden season and can call on internationals Harry Martin, Tim Whitemand and Adam Dixon, but they will be up against the inspirational attacking power of Jof and Tanguy Cosyns.
The final two fixtures of KO16 pits Netherland’s team Oranje Zwart against the Austrian contenders, SV Arminen while Belgium’s Waterloo Ducks take on SV Kampong of the Netherlands. SV Arminen is the only Austrian side to ever reach the KO16 stage. Their prize? A meeting with drag-flick specialist Mink van der Weerden.
Meanwhile, the Duck’s will be looking to inspirational midfielder John-John Dohmen to lead the charge, while a quality line-up that includes Ireland’s Davey Harte in goal and Robbert Kemperman up field will be looking to shoot the Belgium champions down.
The winners of KO16 will contest KO8 on Saturday 4 April, with the final placings being decided on Sunday 5 April as the Euro Hockey league reaches its dramatic conclusion.
