17.07.2015, Brussels; As we prepare for the most exciting month of hockey of the year as we start the European #RoadtoRio and future Olympics! first up is the EuroHockey Championships II, Women and Men, Prague 18th – 26th July 2015:
We caught up with the 2 main Organisers, Jakub Mejzlik and Markéta Křikavová
‘This coming weekend we start a unique event that has no precedent in Czech Hockey. 16 teams from across Europe will try win the EuroHockey Championships II and qualify for the Championships in 2017. We announced our squads yesterday, of course with only 18 selected there are some disappointed players, but we know that everyone will support the team.
For the fans tickets are available at the box office each match day. You can buy a daily ticket or for the week, up to you! Whilst we have our volunteer team in place, of course any extra help would be welcomed! Fans can also avail of the clubhouse at Slavia, cold beer and grilled sausages and more!
For fans who can’t attend, all games will be streamed live on www.playo.tv. We start with 2 cameras and build up to 6 cameras with HD for the finals.’
Have a look at their fun trailer with the magnificent Jakubem Kohákem:
Regarding the Teams, in the women’s Tournament, Ireland is the top seed and their coach Graham Shaw said ‘We don’t see ourselves as a tier-two side. The main aim is to get ourselves into the top two and, once we put ourselves into position, we want to go on and win the competition.’ (quote courtesy of an interview on Hookhockey). Ireland face France, Ukraine and finally the hosts Czech Republic in their final pool on 21st of July.
In Pool B, Azerbaijan will take on Belarus, Austria and Wales. Dutchman and Head Coach Herman Kruis has been working with the squad for a number of months, and said ‘After a long bus trip, we are ready to take on the opposition in Prague’
Belarus girls arrive in Prague after their long bus trip
In the Men’s competition, Pool A, a very strong group with Poland and Scotland the favourites to make it through to the semi-finals. The hosts Czech Republic face Austria, who failed to qualify for the 1/4 Finals of their World League Round 2 competition, but they will be ready for this challenge having faced higher ranked teams in Argentina, in addition to Azerbaijan and Switzerland will be very competitive in this Pool.
Check out the website: http://www.pozemnihokej.cz/key
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EurohockeyPrague2015
Twitter: @eurohockeyorg (results) #EHC2015
Pictured: Tomasz Lawskowski, Austrian Coach (Frank Uijlenbroek (c))