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Euro hockey update

Euro Hockey League News - 25th March 2009

In this issue:
Eurosport to provide extensive broadcast coverage of KO16 Hamburg
East Grinstead’s Mark Pearn & Danny Hall thrilled by Euro Hockey League
NETHERLANDS: Bloemendaal & Rotterdam find form ahead of KO16
BELGIUM: KHC Leuven edge closer to EHL 2009-10 Qualification
SPAIN: Atletic take control of title race
ENGLAND: Three teams fight for the Championship
NETHERLANDS: Teun de Nooijer Academy opens for business

Eurosport to provide extensive broadcast coverage of KO16 Hamburg
Leading sports channel Eurosport will be providing extensive coverage of KO16 Hamburg on Eurosport 2 and Eurosport Asia Pacific. No less than eight matches will be broadcasted live with a further two matches going out as delayed broadcasts, allowing millions of sports fans across Europe the opportunity to watch the stunning action from Uhlenhorster HC in Hamburg.

Eurosport 2 is received by over 32 million homes in 46 countries, while the broadcasts on Eurosport Asia Pacific will take the EHL to an even wider audience, hitting countries such as India, Australia, Japan, Hong Kong and Malaysia.

Eurosport is not the only broadcaster providing coverage of KO16 Hamburg. Sky Sports (UK), Exqi Sport (Belgium), DSF (Germany) as well as Dutch channels Net 5, Sport 1, and NOS have all confirmed that they will be showing matches either live or in highlight format. The widely received FIH WorldHockey Monthly show will also feature action from KO16, with many more broadcasters expected to be announced soon. Alternatively, you may wish to catch the action on www.ehlhockey.tv, the official website of the Euro Hockey League, which will be live streaming every match from KO16 Hamburg. A full broadcast schedule will appear on www.ehlhockey.tv next week.

Tickets are still available for KO16 Hamburg, so you still have a chance to witness one of the most exciting spectacles in European club hockey. To purchase online tickets, simply visit the Ticketing & Accommodation section of this website, click the link and follow the instructions.

East Grinstead’s Mark Pearn & Danny Hall thrilled by Euro Hockey League
“I loved the experience of playing in the EHL in Lille, as it was as close to the feel and intensity of international hockey as you can get playing for your club.” Those were the thoughts of former England and Great Britain star Mark Pearn, the man who lifted the old European Cup as part of the all conquering Reading side of 2003 and current player coach of East Grinstead. In an interview with www.ehlhockey.tv, Pearn and ex-GB striker Danny Hall discuss their hopes for KO16 Hamburg and their title ambitions in England.

NETHERLANDS: Bloemendaal & Rotterdam find form ahead of KO16
HC Bloemendaal and H.C. Rotterdam both secured double victories at the weekend. HC Bloemendaal stayed top of the Hoofdklasse with wins over 2007-08 EHL finalists HGC (6-1) and Pinoke (3-2), news that will worry EHL opponent Cannock HC of England. H.C. Rotterdam’s Sohail Abbas hit the back of the net on four occasions during his side’s victories over Tilburg (3-2) and Den Bosch (6-1). Abbas was not at his best during EHL Round 1b, but his return to form ahead of KO16 Hamburg may well help his team to get past opponents WKS Grunwald Poznan of Poland.

BELGIUM: KHC Leuven edge closer to EHL 2009-10 Qualification
KHC Leuven recovered from last week’s defeat against Leopold by crushing Herakles 7-2 away from home to stay second in the VW Hockey League. Leuven’s vital win puts them four points ahead of third place Racing, whose 2-1 defeat against Pingouin has put a huge dent in their own Euro Hockey League ambitions. KHC Leuven now know that victory next week against mid-table Oree will be enough to confirm their place in next season’s EHL. Leuven will be hoping to carry on their good form in their final two league matches before the KO16 showdown with Ireland’s Three Rock Rovers.

SPAIN: Atletic take control of title race
Atletic Terrassa produced a brilliant performance on Sunday to defeat Club Egara 2-1 to move two points clear at the top of the Princess Hockey Liga. It was Egara’s first defeat of the season, and has seen them drop down to third place in the title race, with RC de Polo de Barcelona also moving ahead of them thanks to a 4-1 away victory over C.D. Terrassa. Egara’s dip in form is bad news ahead of KO16 Hamburg, where they face Der Club an der Alster – a team desperate to avenge their 4-0 thrashing at the hands of Egara in Round 1a.

ENGLAND: Three teams fight for the Championship
Cannock and Surbiton were finally forced out of the race for the Slazenger England Hockey League title at the weekend, leaving East Grinstead, Beeston and Reading to fight out the closest contest in years. Beeston qualified for their first Euro Hockey League campaign by defeating Surbiton 2-1, while Cannock’s title dreams disappeared thanks to a 2-2 draw against Hampstead & Westminster. Cannock have to defeat third placed Reading if they are to have any chance of qualifying for next season’s EHL. League leaders East Grinstead secured their place in next season’s Euro Hockey League by defeating Bowdon 6-0. Victory in next week’s away match against Surbiton will give them both the Championship and a huge boost to their confidence ahead of their EHL Round 2 match against St Germain.

NETHERLANDS: Teun de Nooijer Academy opens for business
Netherlands and Bloemendaal legend Teun de Nooijer has launched the Teun de Nooijer Academy, which provides talented youth players with a new platform to develop both their hockey skills and themselves as people. Young players can participate in a “Master Class” that enables them to learn what is needed to perform well as both an individual player and as a member of a team. In addition, the Teun de Nooijer Academy will offer events for businesses which link top-level hockey with daily work. Teun`s academy will also direct HC Bloemendaal`s youth programme.

You can find more information about these and other stories at www.ehlhockey.tv – the official website of the Euro Hockey League.

Info by Euro Hockey League News.