EHL: Revitalised Arminen and Kelner sense EHL opportunity in Eindhoven – EHL

Max Kelner believes SV Arminen’s new, aggressive outlook under coach Darren Cheesman will give them a big chance of progressing from EHL Men ROUND1 this week in Eindhoven.

After sustained success under Dariusz Rachwalski, the Austrian champions have embraced a new, high-pressing philosophy under Cheesman, a change that has given the club fresh belief ahead of their return to Europe’s premier club competition.

The Vienna club secured their return to the EHL in emphatic fashion, producing a stunning 10-0 Austrian championship final victory against Post SV last season.

It earned them a place back in the EHL after a break since 2022, Rachwalski’s last season before taking on the national coaching challenge in his native Poland after a decade in Austria.

“Dariusz played a huge part in building the team during our successful period and was one of the main reasons why Arminen had such a successful time,” Kelner said. “He will always have a very special place in the club!”

As for Cheesman, he adds: ““With Darren joining last year, the team got a new boost. He brought in his own style of playing aggressive, brave and attacking hockey. He has an incredible knowledge of the game and is a huge win for Austrian hockey!”

The former England international made the switch after spells with Laren in the Netherlands and then with Berliner HC in the German Bundesliga.

“One of the first things Darren told us was that we have to believe more in ourselves and be brave in the way we play. We have changed our system quite a lot. Now the whole game is built around pressing higher and being more aggressive. That has given the team a new energy and a new spirit.

“He has worked in very professional environments and he has brought many new ideas to the team. He’s constantly looking at how we can improve, whether that’s tactically, physically or mentally, and I think everyone in the squad has learned something new from him already.”

The emphatic nature of last year’s title was something of a surprise after a competitive season but Arminen are keen to build on it further.

Several experienced figures have stepped away, while a new generation of players has emerged. For Kelner, the blend is creating a positive dynamic.

They have already welcomed Hamburger Polo Club Münchner SC for preseason games to Vienna to set a benchmark for the sort of pace and intensity they need to reach in Europe.

“Right now it’s a really young squad with one or two older guys controlling the structure. The younger players are pushing and bringing a completely new spirit into the team, and I really appreciate how the group feels at the moment.”

Kelner is at the heart of that, a kid from the club who started there at age six, developed into a first team player in his teens and – still only 23 – is in a leadership role with the Austrian senior team.

He speaks about the club with a sense of belonging that runs deeper than results and trophies.

“It’s not like a club, it’s like a family who supports each other,” he said. “We’re not professional sportsmen. We do this alongside our jobs and studies. To represent that family in another country is a special honour.

“And maybe it is one of the good things in Austria where we don’t have as many players. Your trainer trusts in you from an early age, gives you some jobs maybe you wouldn’t be expected to do until you are older. You cannot be a passenger early in your career – you have to take responsibility and embrace it.”

He grew up in a particularly strong youth team alongside goal machine Fülöp Losonci – now with Harvestehuder THC – his brother Ben and Florian Hackl.

And while Arminen’s biggest moments in the EHL were over a decade ago, those memories resonate strongly, particularly with the Bele brothers Alexander and Robert still around the squad.

In particular, 2014/15’s memorable run is to the fore when they knocked out Atlètic Terrassa in Barcelona and pushed Oranje-Zwart all the way in a 2-0 KO16 result.

Kelner was only a youngster at the time but can still vividly recall watching events unfold from the sidelines.

“Those stories are coming up again now!” he said. “It’s a big part of Arminen’s history. I was a little child watching those games in the stadium. I still remember some scenes. The coaches who guide us now were the players from that time, so we’re hearing those stories again!

“I remember Flocki [Florian Steyrer] going on a solo up the pitch like it was yesterday!”

As for this season’s EHL challenge, Kelner sees genuine opportunity ahead. Arminen have been drawn alongside Lille MHC and Edinburgh University in a pool that appears more open than some of their previous European assignments.

“In previous years it felt like there was always one team that was almost impossible to beat,” he said. “This year feels different. We have a good team and Lille and Edinburgh are both very strong, but it doesn’t feel impossible to win against them. It feels like there is something possible for us.”