The jewel in the crown of the Euro Hockey League, the KO16 returns for its ninth edition on Friday, March 25 with AH&BC Amsterdam’s iconic Wagener Stadium playing host to 16 clubs from eight countries vying for four FINAL4 tickets
Indeed, it is an extra special edition this year, featuring the recently named FIH World Player of the Year Robert van der Horst (Oranje Zwart), FIH Goalkeeper of the Year David Harte (SV Kampong) and Umpire of the Year Nathan Stagno, showing why this is the world’s premier club competition.
It offers a superb spectacle for fans to enjoy, either in the stadium (buy your tickets here) or via the live stream (click here), with 12 of the best club hockey games you will see in the world on offer.
There are many highlights on the agenda. Rot Weiss Köln’s tie with German rivals – and the EHL’s most decorated side – UHC Hamburg takes centre stage on Friday, March 25. It follows a tie between Polish champions WKS Grunwald Poznan and KHC Leuven who return to the competition after six years away.
KHC Dragons, bolstered by the return of Thomas Briels, face an enticing prospect against an Atlètic Terrassa who have also added to their ranks with Roc Oliva and Pol Garcia-Cascon back at the club. Day one finishes with Racing Club de France’s debut in the KO16 phase where they will meet Dutch side Kampong.
Saturday’s KO16 matches are similarly intriguing. After Dinamo Kazan’s game with 2014 champions Harvestehuder THC, Real Club de Polo meet near neighbours Club Egara in an all-Spanish league affair.
The hosts Amsterdam meet debutants Wimbledon who become the 58th different club to play in the Euro Hockey League by virtue of their English success last spring.
Reigning champions Oranje Zwart complete the weekend’s line-up when they meet Royal Leopold. Spanish star striker Gabriel Dabanch and Elliot van Strydonck both moved to Leo from OZ for this season, showing some of the quality they bring to this encounter.
Easter Sunday and Monday bring the KO8 quarter-finals to raise the tempo another notch while, as always, there are a wealth of side-events from the Junior EHL to coaching clinics to a G-Hockey tournament to make it another weekend to remember in the world’s best club competition.
Make some noise and enjoy!
For the House Rules during the KO16 and KO8 in Amsterdam Click here
For more information about parking Click here
For Information about Pink Free WiFi at the EHL KO16 Click here