Netherlands’ HC ‘s-Hertogenbosch will host the ABN AMRO Euro Hockey League FINALS next Easter for the first time.
The 20-team event runs from April 16-21 and will feature the first edition of the expanded EHL Women FINAL12 competition along with the EHL Men FINAL8.
Twenty-six games will take place over the course of the six-day festival at Den Bosch, which will run alongside the ABN AMRO EHL Hockey ID and Under 14 tournaments in the heart of Brabant.
Speaking about the announcement, EHL chairman Peter Elders said: “We are delighted to bring the Euro Hockey League to Den Bosch for the first time.
“We received a number of very attractive bids for next Easter’s showpiece event and we are encouraged to see very motivated clubs putting themselves forward to host.
“Both the club, BrabantSport and the Municipality of ’s-Hertogenbosch have been incredibly welcoming already and it will be great to play our finals at the venue of a club whose women’s team is steeped in EuroHockey history.
“We look forward to extending this welcome to fans from all across Europe in April.”
The club has won EHL Women twice in the past four years having previously won the EuroHockey Club Cup 16 times. The club also hosted the Club Cup on seven occasions.
For host club Den Bosch, they cannot wait to bring the event to life following a rich history in European club competition.
Club Chairman Rob Almering said: “It has been nearly ten years since we last organised this kind of event and we are thrilled to once again showcase the pinnacle of European club hockey.
“Our beautiful venue, paired with the warm hospitality of Brabant, provide the perfect backdrop for this exciting occasion. This event presents an excellent opportunity to inspire the youth and ignite their passion for our sport.
“Let’s come together to celebrate the game and foster the next generation of hockey enthusiasts!”
EHL Women FINAL12
Makes its first appearance with the competition expanding from eight to 12 teams. In addition to the hosts, Dutch club SCHC, Germany’s Mannheimer HC and Düsseldorfer HC; Spain’s Club de Campo de Madrid; Belgium’s Gantoise and England’s Surbiton all return to the competition. They will be joined by debutantes Braxgata (Belgium), Real Club de Polo (Spain), Railway Union (Ireland), MSC Sumchanka (Ukraine) and Slavia Prague (Czechia).
EHL Men FINAL8
Features SV Kampong (Netherlands), Old Georgians (England), Gantoise (Belgium) and Club de Campo (Spain) who all pre-qualified. They are joined a quartet of successful KO16 clubs – HC Bloemendaal and HC Rotterdam (Netherlands), Surbiton (England) and Royal Léopold (Belgium).
