Full line-up known for EHL 2011-2012

The European Hockey Federation and the Euro Hockey League are pleased to announce the teams that will participate in the 2011-2012 edition of the EHL.

24 teams from 12 countries have made the cut, with 15 sides from last season’s event re-qualifying for the 2011-2012 competition. There are three first time participants joining the tournament next season, with Germany’s Uhlenhorst Mülheim and Irish duo Banbridge and Cookstown making their debut appearances when the tournament gets underway in October.

Six other teams return for another crack at the EHL following a period of absence: Amsterdam H&BC (NED), H.C. Rotterdam (NED), Der Club an der Alster (GER), Dinamo Elektrostal (RUS), AHTC Wien (AUT), Olimpia Kolos Sekvoia (UKR) and Rotweiss Wettingen (SUI).

The top four ranked nations will each have three teams competing in the tournament. The Netherlands is top of the ranking pile, with Taeke Taekema’s Hoofdklasse champions Amsterdam H&BC being joined by 2009 winners HC Bloemendaal and H.C. Rotterdam, the 2010 runner’s up. Amsterdam and Rotterdam re-join the EHL following a one season absence, earning the right to play in the competition with strong performances in the 2010-11 Edition of the Dutch National League. They replace Oranje Zwart and HGC, the reigning Euro Hockey League champions who failed to qualify due to a ninth place finish in their domestic league.

Spain is second in the rankings and will be represented by the same teams as last year: Atlétic Terrassa (1), EHL 2010-11 finalists Club de Campo (2) and Real Club de Polo de Barcelona (3). England is third in the rankings, and like Spain will also see the same representation with Beeston (1), East Grinstead (2) and EHL 2010-11 Bronze Medallists Reading HC (3).  

Fourth-ranked Germany will be represented by two new teams, with league champions Der Club an der Alster and second placed Uhlenhorst Mülheim joining ever-present two times champions UHC Hamburg. Alster and Mülheim replace Mannheimer HC and Rot-Weiss Köln in next season’s Euro Hockey League.

For the second successive season, Belgium will be represented by KHC Dragons and Racing Club de Bruxelles, although the EHL will be blessed by two new teams from Ireland with Banbridge and Cookstown making their first appearances. WKS Grunwald Poznan and Pomorzanin Torun have qualified to represent Poland, while Russia’s Dinamo Kazan and Dinamo Elektrostal will also feature.

The line up for the 2011-2012 tournament will be completed by CA Montrouge (France), AHTC Wien (Austria), Olimpia Kolos Sekvoia (Ukraine) and Rotweiss Wettigen (Switzerland).

Rank          Nation              Club 1                                Club 2                                    Club 3

1                  NED                 Amsterdam H&BC          HC Bloemendaal                HC Rotterdam
 2                  ESP                  Atletic Terrassa               Club de Campo                  Real Club de Polo
3                  ENG                 Beeston HC                     East Grinstead HC             Reading HC
4                  GER                 Der Club an der Alster   Uhlenhorst Mülheim          UHC Hamburg
5                  BEL                  KHC Dragons                  Racing Club de Bruxelles
6                  IRL                   Banbridge                         Cookstown
7                  POL                  WKS Grunwald                Pomorzanin Torun
8                  RUS                 Dinamo Kazan                 Dinamo Elektrostal
9                  FRA                  CA Montrouge
10               AUT                   AHTC Wien
11               UKR                  Olimpia Kolos Sekvoia
12               SUI                    Rotweiss Wettingen

Women's national team of Poland coach – Krzysztof Rachwalski – about polish preparation to the EuroHockey Nations Championship II in Poznań

Polish national team, the host country of EuroHockey Nations Championship II Women, are in the middle of their preparation to this tournament.

Polish team coach Krzysztof Rachwalski outlined successive parts of this preparation: “Two consultations are the closest plans of polish national team. First from 11 to 17 July in Cetniewo, without young players who will be taking part in Junior European Championship that time, and second from 23 to 30 July in Gąsawawith all players”.

After these meeting Poland will play two control matches against participants of the event in Poznań – France (4th August) and Russia (6th August).

Polish team coach described previous preparations of Poland: “In our hitherto existing preparations to the EuroHockey Nations Championship II, we have played 15 control games against German U-21 and U-18 teams and with clubs from Germany, the Netherlands and Belarus. We are surely satisfied with some elements of our play. However in some matches we made too many simple mistakes and in consequence we lost goals”.

Coach paid some attention to the important characteristic of polish team: “It is undoubted that regardless of the situation in matches, Poland is the team with character, which fight for the good result from the beginning to the end. I am really happy with that”.

Krzysztof Rachwalski about the situation of polish squad: “As far as our squad situation is concerned, I hope that the worst is behind us and that we will play in the main event in the best possible squad”.

FIH Champions Challenge 2

LAUSANNE – The FIH today announced the official schedule for FIH Champions Challenge II (men’s) that will be held in Lille, France from July 2-10, 2011.

The eight teams will be split into two preliminary round groups for three-days of round robin action. The teams will then play a cross-over quarterfinal to determine the playoff teams. The top ranked teams from each pool will take on the fourth-rank teams, while number two and number three will also face-off. The winners from the cross over games will move onto the semi-finals and medal games, while the losers will continue to play for final placement.

In total, teams will play six games each during the nine-day event. China and Austria will kick things off on July 2^nd with an 11:00 match. Pool A features China, USA, Austria and the Czech Republic, while Pool B includes France, Ireland, Russia and Scotland.

Ireland and host France will be two of the top teams at the event. Ireland took the silver at the Champions Challenge II in 2009, while France took the bronze. China is also sure to be a tough team to beat. The Chinese squad was at the Champions Challenge I level in 2009.

The casual- and sportswear brand GANT is the official title sponsor of the EuroHockey Championships, Women and Men, 2011

The casual- and sportswear brand GANT is the official title sponsor of the EuroHockey Championships 2011, taking place from 20th to 28th of August in the Warsteiner HockeyPark in Moenchengladbach. Therefore the tournament, which is also the European qualifier for the Olympic games 2012 in London, will occur with the title “GANT EuroHockey Championships, Women and Men”.

Torsten Bartel, speaker of the German Hockey Federation (DHB): „We are pleased, that Gant has agreed to underwrite the title sponsorship for the Europeans. Gant Germany is supporting hockey strongly over the past few years. And I am sure, that this sponsorship will bring sustainable success for them and for our sport.”

Coen Duetz, GANT General Importer for Germany: “We are delighted with the successful partnership with the German Hockey Federation over the past two years – including the official suppliers of the Ladies and Mens National Teams – for us it was the logical next step to prominently expand our commitment. The EuroHockey Championships in Germany – with two of the most successful sports teams of the nation – is a great opportunity for us, to grow our brand equity and our philosophy substantially into the fans minds“

Coen Duetz’ patience and sympathy for hockey is deeply rooted in his family background. He was born in the Netherlands, where Hockey is one of the most famous sports. He also has been playing hockey up to the age of 18 years. Meanwhile his sons are playing with the same patience he did, when he was young. The biggest goals for his engagement in hockey are promoting the youth and increasing the popularity of the sports in Germany.

España continúa sus buenos resultados ante Malasia (2-0)

La selección masculina ha iniciado la serie de dos amistosos ante Malasia en Terrassa con una victoria por 2-0 que la mantiene en la senda del éxito después de su triunfo en el Cuatro Naciones de Escocia hace tres semanas. Pau Quemada de penalti-córner en la primera mitad y Gabi Dabanch en la segunda marcaron los tantos del partido.

El seleccionador Dani Martín reconoció que el encuentro “no ha sido bonito”, pero se queda con “algunos minutos de buen Hockey” y con los numerosos penaltis-córner provocados por los suyos, que además mantuvieron controlados a los jugadores malayos, los cuales llegaban al primer partido ante la absoluta masculina con los precedentes de una victoria (3-0) y un empate (1-1) frente a la Sub21.

Mañana jueves España y Malasia volverán a encontrarse en Terrassa (18.30 horas) en otro amistoso de preparación del Europeo de Monchengladbach. “Hemos optado por hacer una preparación con numerosos partidos y de momento los resultados están siendo positivos, lo cual fortalece nuestra confianza”, dice Martín.

España jugó con los siguientes jugadores: Quico Cortés (portero), Ramón Alegre, Sergi Enrique, Bosco Pérez-Pla, Andrés Mir (defensas), David Alegre, Alex Fábregas, Marc Sallés (medios), Pau Quemada, Santi Freixa y Edi Tubau (delanteros). También jugaron: Gabi Dabanch, Alex Casasayas, Franc Dinarés, Ignasi Guerrero, Juan Fernández y Manel Terraza.

Olympic stars on show in The London Cup next week

Sports fans are in for a treat with some of the nation’s top stars set to play in hockey’s London Cup in Chiswick, which begins next Tuesday.  European Champions England have named ten Olympians in the squad for hockey’s London showcase, which will also see Commonwealth Games bronze medal winners New Zealand, Korea and Belgium on show.

Just one year out from the Olympic Games the capital will play host to players including Great Britain captain Barry Middleton, prolific goal scorer James Tindall and penalty corner specialist Richard Mantell, who recently made his 100th appearance for England.  Also in the side, having sat his A Levels at Ipswich School last month is 18 year old Harry Martin, who was a member of the squad at the Commonwealth Games in Delhi last year.

Speaking as the squad was announced, two times Olympian Barry Middleton said: “I’m really looking forward to getting the chance to run out in front of a home crowd at The London Cup.  With so much excitement around the Olympic Games this is a great opportunity for people to come and see us and find out a bit more about hockey.  I think anyone who isn’t familiar with hockey will be very impressed with the speed and skill.  It’s bound to capture people’s imagination.”

Head Coach Jason Lee added, “It’s great to have a tournament at home.  It will be difficult and the games will be of a very high standard but I hope we can put on a good show for the home crowd.”

Fans will get the chance to meet their Olympic heroes throughout the week with members of the England and Great Britain women’s squad also in attendance.  As well as playing host to world class hockey, The London Cup will feature a Fun Zone in which visitors can put their skills to the ultimate test in ‘The Cage’, giving them the chance to score points and win prizes. ‘The Cage’ has already proved hugely popular as it caught the attention of commuters in London’s Victoria station last week and is set to do likewise at Paddington station today.

The tournament, which takes place at the University of Westminster Sports Ground from 12-16 July, will form part of England’s preparations for August’s European Championships in Germany, where the team will attempt to defend the title it won two years ago.

It all gets underway with Schools Day on Tuesday 12 July as schools from across the country descend on West London to see Korea and New Zealand open proceedings before England’s campaign begins against Belgium.

Ladies Evening on Wednesday 13 July is the first of two evenings of action with Friday night set to be a showpiece occasion as England clash with New Zealand.

Saturday 16 is Finals Day featuring the bronze and gold medal matches as well as hockey’s Annual Awards Lunch, where the dedication and success of teams, clubs and individuals from across the country is recognised, rewarded and celebrated.

Tickets are still available for all four days from The London Cup ticket hotline on 0844 499 3222 or online via www.englandhockey.co.uk/thelondoncup.  Offering superb value, tickets start at just £5 for under 18s and £10 for adults and cover both matches in a day.

The London Cup Match Schedule

Tuesday 12 July

11:45: Korea v New Zealand

14:00: England v Belgium

Wednesday 13 July

17:45: Belgium v New Zealand

20:00: England v Korea

Thursday 14 July

Rest Day

Friday 15 July

17:45: Belgium v Korea

20:00: England v New Zealand

Saturday 16 July

15:00: Bronze Medal Match

17:30: Gold Medal Match

ENGLAND HOCKEY MEN'S SQUAD FOR THE LONDON CUP

Name (Club) Position - Eng Caps/Eng Goals - GB Caps/GB Goals - Age

Nick Brothers (Reading) Goalkeeper - 27/0 - 7/0 - 27

Nick Catlin (Loughborough Students) Forward - 34/3 - 7/1 - 22

Jonty Clarke (Reading) Forward - 127/25 - 40/11 - 30

Matt Daly (Surbiton) Forward - 88/40 - 41/12 - 27*

Adam Dixon (Beeston) Defender/Midfielder - 47/0 - 12/0 - 24

James Fair (Cannock) Goalkeeper - 75/0 - 19/0 - 30

Ben Hawes (Wimbledon) Defender - 121/24 - 69/19 - 30

Glenn Kirkham (East Grinstead) Midfielder - 134/7 - 49/4 - 28

Iain Lewers (Loughborough Students) Defender - 3/0 - 7/0 - 27

Iain Mackay (Reading) Midfielder - 50/9 - 12/1 - 26

Richard Mantell (Reading) Defender - 102/46 - 41/19 - 29

Simon Mantell (Reading) Forward - 78/35 - 41/6 - 27

Harry Martin (Old Loughtonians) Midfielder - 8/0 - 6/0 - 18

Barry Middleton (c) (Der Club an der Alster) Midfielder/Forward - 146/36 - 80/28 - 27

Rob Moore (Wimbledon) Midfielder/Forward - 137/18 - 63/17 - 30

Richard Smith (Loughborough Students) Defender - 53/6 - 7/3 - 23

James Tindall (Surbiton) Forward - 114/50 - 46/17 - 28

Alastair Wilson (Beeston) Defender - 90/6 - 42/0 - 27

*Matt Daly turns 28 on 8 July 2011.

Source: England Hockey Media Release

Eurohockey U18 Championship II (11-16 July, Cernusco sul Naviglio)

We're proud to announce that the official web site for the EuroHockey U18 Championship II is now on-line.
You can get in touch with the main protagonists of the competition and after the beginnig of the important tournament supporters and hockey friends can follow the feats of their young champions through the days.

With news, live commentaries, photos and videos everyone can feel to be in Cernusco.
Don't miss your team! You've never been so close!