James Mazarelo and Old Georgians produced a stunning performance to eliminate six-time champions Bloemendaal in a compelling end to decide the EHL Final8 line-up.
OGs led twice in normal time with Alan Forsyth scoring both before Bloemendaal also fought back, earning a 2-2 draw in normal time after a firecracker of a match.
Mazarelo then saved each effort from the Dutch side in an epic shoot-out while Forsyth, James Albery and David Ames all smashed in early shots for a 3-1 shoot-out victory.
The first half bubbled up slowly with Bloemendaal building some momentum, forcing a big save from Albery off the line from a corner.
Albery’s deflected free then created the first goal just before half-time, Forsyth fishing the ball out of the sky and then slamming home from mid-circle.
The Dutch side were back on terms six minutes into the second half when Zach Wallace produced an amazing individual run to cut through and then flick in from a narrow angle.
But OGs were back ahead in jig-time, Forsyth again doing something special, catching a ball in from Liam Sanford and turning in one movement with the ball sling-shotting into the corner.
Lucas Veen equalised with four minutes left from a corner and they thought they had a winner in the last seconds when they forced the ball over the line from another corner.
It was pulled back, however, for a back-stick after a video review, sending the game to a shoot-out where the English side got their rewards.
Old Georgians had earlier eased into the KO8 with a record EHL Men’s win for an English club as they proved too strong for HC Olten.
The record was held by East Grinstead for their 8-0 win against Montrouge in 2012.
Ashley Jackson scored the record-breaking ninth goal; he scored three times for EG in that previous win.
What else happened at the EHL?
Three goals in a five-minute spell in the third quarter saw SV Kampong pull away from Braxgata and earn their ticket to the EHL Finals next Easter.
Wimbledon lost out to Hamburge 4-2 on the opening day before beating Slavia Prague 8-1 to earn a ranking place.
Banbridge rounded off the EHL Men KO16 weekend with a strong 4-1 win over HC Olten to ensure they landed a 13th place finish for Ireland for the second successive season.
