Surbiton Hockey Club is set to host a Euro Hockey League event for the first time following confirmation they will open their Sugden Road gates to the EHL Men KO16 from October 3rd to 6th.
It will also be the first time the world’s best club competition has come to London. It also ends a 12-year wait for English fans to enjoy the EHL in their own country, the previous time being at East Grinstead’s Saint Hill in 2012.
Surbiton will welcome 16 teams from 11 different countries, battling it out in 16 matches with the hope of earning one of the four spots on offer at next Easter’s EHL Men FINAL8.
EHL Board chairman Peter Elders said of the decision to award the hosting to Surbiton: “It is brilliant to see a new club step forward to host an EHL event. Surbiton have proven to be excellent hosts in recent years, welcoming the women’s EuroHockey Club Cup and a number of English playoff finals events.
“We have no doubt that expertise will shine through next October and make this an extra special moment in their 150th year celebrations.
“We have seen many English fans travel to the EHL around Europe, generating the competition’s special atmosphere and so we expect it to be lively in the stands as well as on the pitch.”
Surbiton club captain Sian Craze says it will be a special event for the club and their community: “We are delighted to be hosting the EHL Men KO16 event at Surbiton in early October. It will be a fantastic opportunity for our members, friends from other clubs and everyone in our local community and schools to watch some of the best hockey talent in the world following this summer’s Olympic Games.
“We are lucky to have a number of amazing sporting events in Elmbridge and the EHL will be a unique chance for locals to get involved in EuroHockey’s showcase event. We can’t wait!”
Local mayor Neil Houston adds: “As the Mayor of Elmbridge and one of the local councillors, I am absolutely delighted that we will be welcoming the players, their families, coaches, and support staff to our borough to take part in this very prestigious competition.
“It is a huge honour for Surbiton Hockey Club to have been chosen to host these matches and we are all very proud of everyone concerned. We wish them every success.”
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The draw for the EHL Men KO16 will take place on July 15th in Barcelona. The 16 competing teams are confirmed as follows:
- Netherlands: HC Rotterdam, HC Bloemendaal
- Belgium: Royal Léopold, Waterloo Ducks
- England: Surbiton HC, Wimbledon HC
- Spain: Real Club de Polo
- Germany: Mannheimer HC, Hamburger Polo Club
- Austria: AHTC Wien, SV Arminen
- France: Lille MHC
- Ireland: Banbridge HC
- Scotland: Western Wildcats HC
- Switzerland: Grasshopper Club Zürich
- Czechia: TJ Plzeň-Litice
SV Kampong, Gantoise, Old Georgians and Club de Campo have all earned byes to the EHL Men FINAL8. The match schedule will follow in due course.
