Uhlenhorster Hamburg Hockey Club have won the Euro Hockey League for the second time in three season's courtesy of a 3-1 win over H.C. Rotterdam. UHC defender Patrick Breitenstein was the star of the show, scoring two goals to help his team reclaim the title that they won in 2008.
The match was a thrilling affair played in front of a huge crowd at Amsterdam H&BC's Wagener Stadium, with vast numbers of supporters from both clubs making great noise throught the game. UHC Hamburg took the lead thanks to an expertly finished field goal from Germany U-21 international Marco Miltkau moments before half time, before a powerful penalty corner flick from Patrick Breitenstein extended the UHC advantage shortly after half time. Rotterdam hit back with a brilliantly finshed penalty corner deflection from New Zealand captain Phil Burrows, but UHC were not to be denied when a video umpire referral resulted in a penalty stroke six minutes from the end of the match, with Breitenstein killing the game off from the spot.
Speaking to the Euro Hockey League website immediately after the win, UHC team manager Thomas Friedemeyer said: It was a brilliant performance from the team. Everyone gave 100 percent, there was no-one asleep  I am very happy"
Regarding the performance of defender Patrick Breitenstein - who was named Man of the Match, presented by ABN AMRO - Freidermayer said: "Yes, he was outstanding. Our goalkeeper Nico Jacobi was also brilliant, he made so many important saves for us."
UHC Hamburg captain Moritz F├╝rste was named Most Valuable Player for a second time in three seasons thanks to a number of stunning performances throughout the tournament. The Germany international midfielder - who has been the driving force for his team throughout their campaign - was given the award following a combination of online and text votes by EHL fans throughout the season.
Congratulations to the men of UHC Hamburg, on behalf of everyone at the Euro Hockey League.
It was not all bad news for Dutch teams however, as Den Bosch lifted their 11th consecutive elite European title with a 2-1 win against UHC Hamburg women in the EuroHockey Club Champions Cup. Amsterdam H&BC men repeated the feat of their women by securing a third place finish in Europe when they defeated RC de Polo de Barcelona in a penalty shoot-out.
More information and video highlights can be found at www.ehlhockey.tv.
