Surbiton will host a Euro Hockey League event for the first time when it stages the EHL Men KO16 in October – the first time the world’s best club competition has come to London.
East Grinstead last hosted an EHL event in 2012, while 12 years on Surbiton will stage its biggest event when 16 teams from 11 different countries battle it out for one of four spots on offer at next Easter’s EHL Men Final8.
The event will be staged Oct 3-6 at Sugden Road. Surbiton have previously staged the women’s EuroHockey Club Trophy.
EHL board chairman Peter Elders said of the decision to award the hosting to Surbiton: “It is brilliant to see a new club step forward to host an EHL event. Surbiton have proven to be excellent hosts in recent years, welcoming the women’s EuroHockey Club Cup and a number of English playoff finals events.
“We have seen many English fans travel to the EHL around Europe, generating the competition’s special atmosphere and so we expect it to be lively in the stands as well as on the pitch.”
Surbiton club captain Sian Craze says it will be a special event for the club and their community: “We are delighted to be hosting the EHL Men KO16 event at Surbiton in early October. It will be a fantastic opportunity for our members, friends from other clubs and everyone in our local community and schools to watch some of the best hockey talent in the world following this summer’s Olympic Games.
“We are lucky to have a number of amazing sporting events in Elmbridge and the EHL will be a unique chance for locals to get involved in EuroHockey’s showcase event.”
The draw for the EHL Men KO16 will take place on July 15 in Barcelona. The 16 competing teams are confirmed:
Netherlands: HC Rotterdam, HC Bloemendaal
Belgium: Royal Léopold, Waterloo Ducks
England: Surbiton HC, Wimbledon HC
Spain: Real Club de Polo
Germany: Mannheimer HC, Hamburger Polo Club
Austria: AHTC Wien, SV Arminen
France: Lille MHC
Ireland: Banbridge HC
Scotland: Western Wildcats HC
Switzerland: Grasshopper Club Zürich
Czechia: TJ Plzeň-Litice
SV Kampong, Gantoise, Old Georgians and Club de Campo have all earned byes to the EHL Men Final8. The match schedule will follow in due course.
