31st May 2017: The EuroHockey Club Cup comes to ‘s Hertogenbosch this year on 2nd – 5th June, the home of the current hosts!
In the opening game England’s Surbiton take on Spanish Champions CH SPV Complutense, a delightful opener at 13.15 on 2nd June. Next up is UHC Hamburg who face Canterbury at 15.30. The third game of the day sees the Russian’s CSP Krylatskoye face a strong AH&BC Amsterdam at 17.45 and finally at 20.00 in front of what promises to be a large and partisan crowd, the hosts ‘s Hertogenbosch face the Irish champions Hermes-Monkstown.
The hosts were crowned Dutch Champions last weekend, with the legendary Maartje Paumen indicating that it will be her final playing season. With 11 Dutch titles, 338 games for ‘Den Bosch’, 404 goals (328 of them from pcs) it seems a fitting end to her illustrious career to play in the EHCC at home.
‘s Hertogenbosch HC has undergone a huge refurbishment of the grand stand and clubhouse and are looking forward to hosting the crème de la crème of hockey’s women club players over the weekend.
We spoke to Hermes-Monkstown’s captain Nikki Evans a club in transition as Hermes merged with Monkstown this year, on playing in the EHCC she said “Following the amalgamation of Hermes-Monkstown this season, we are really looking forward to being the first women’s team in the club to compete on the European stage. To be representing Ireland at the biggest club competition in the world is a huge honour. We are ranked 7th out of the eight teams competing but hope to finish the tournament above this ranking as we battle it out against Europe’s elite”
Talking more generally about hockey and why she felt fans should watch hockey she said “When it comes to team sports there are few more skillful and intricate than hockey. It is a fast and furious exciting game requiring an excellent all round fitness level. At the highest level, hockey demands a combination of high intensity running, agility, tactical awareness and technical capabilities. Add into that hand-eye ordination, attacking, defending, passing, dribbling, quick decision making and peak fitness – the ability required for hockey becomes very clear.”
Gold Olympian and key player for Surbiton Georgie Twigg said of the EHCC and the knockout format, which has challenged them the past 2 years “We’ve been disappointed with our performances the last two years and winning that first game is key for us so that is what we’re really focusing on this year.”
“Den Bosch’s” Margot van Geffen, spoke about the excitement of being in front of their home crowd adding “It would be great to make it to the finals again and even better if we could win in our own stadium and in front of our own crowd.”
In addition the EHF is delighted that we are launching the first ever Junior EHCC. Mirrored on the very successful Junior EHL, the JEHCC will take place on Sunday 4th June.
The teams who have entered are ‘s-Hertogenbosch (NED), AHBC Amsterdam (NED), Surbiton HC (ENG), Canterbury HC (ENG), CSP Krylatskoye (RUS).
Speaking about this event, Marijke Fleuren, President of the EHF said “This great new event will give our Under 14 girls from the clubs participating in the EHCC a wonderful opportunity to compete against other European teams in a competitive environment as well as enjoy the festival of EHCC in ‘s- Hertogenbosch from 2nd – 5th June. Their hospitality will feel like a warm bath! As part of our Strategic Plan 2017/24 we have committed to providing the best possible opportunities for all our athletes, as well as creating competitive and dynamic competitions. This addition to the EuroHockey calendar is one that I am especially pleased about as it gives our young girls the taste for European club hockey which is the beating heart of hockey in Europe.”
President of ‘s-Hertogenbosh Mieke van de Akker-Lathouwers added “We are proud not only to host the 2017 EHCC at HC ’s-Hertogenbosch but also the very first Junior EHCC! Looking forward meeting all the youngsters.”
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When? 2nd – 5th June 2017
Where? Hockey Complex Oosterplas’, Oriental Plasweg 35, 5215 HT ‘s-Hertogenbosch
Live Stream
Social Media:
Twitter: @eurohockeyorg
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Hashtags: #EHCC #JuniorEHCC #EHClub2017
Near-live highlights: Video clips pushed through to the EHF’s social media channels