EHL: Bonn beckons for German final four – EHL

The highlight of the German hockey calendar hits the turf tomorroaw with the top four men’s and women’s teams will compete at the Bonner THV grounds for national championship titles.

In the women’s competition, the same four teams as in 2025 – Mannheimer HC, Harvestehuder THC, Düsseldorfer HC, and Großflottbeker THGC – return, with identical semi-final matchups.

Last year, HTHC defeated Düsseldorf in the final to claim their first title in 52 years and they will both be looking to battle through to Sunday’s decider.

Saturday’s opening semi sees Mannheim, the regular-season champions, face HTHC. MHC needed three tough playoff matches to overcome Rot-Weiss Köln, while HTHC advanced in two games against UHC Hamburg.

Mannheim also won both regular-season meetings between the sides, suggesting an edge. However, HTHC remains formidable, boasting a record 15 national titles, compared to Mannheim’s most recent championship in 2023. The memory of HTHC’s upset run last year adds unpredictability.

The second women’s semifinal features Düsseldorf against Großflottbek. GTHGC reached the Final Four after eliminating second-placed Club an der Alster in two matches while Düsseldorf staged a comeback against Berliner HC after losing the first leg 0–3.

Düsseldorf did beat Großflottbek twice this season without conceding but last year’s semifinal showed how dangerous GTHGC can be, as they nearly upset Düsseldorf.

Playing in Bonn may favour Düsseldorf, who won both previous Final Four tournaments held at the venue (2022 and 2024). Although Großflottbek has a slightly richer historical record, their dominance dates back decades.

If the favourites advance, Mannheim and Düsseldorf could meet again in Sunday’s final, a fixture Düsseldorf has won twice in recent years.

In the men’s tournament, the 83rd German Championship will also be decided, with two Hamburg teams and two from western Germany competing. The semi-final structure guarantees a Hamburg vs. West final.
Hamburger Polo Club faces Harvestehuder THC in the first semi. Polo eliminated defending champions Krefeld in a close series while HTHC advanced with two wins over TSV Mannheim.

Polo finished top of the league, but head-to-head results between the teams are even. Polo will be cautious after last year’s semi-final loss despite leading the standings while HTHC aims to add to its four titles, although their last win came in 2014.

The second men’s semifinal pits Rot-Weiss Köln against HTC Uhlenhorst Mülheim, two of Germany’s most successful clubs.

Both eliminated Hamburg opposition in the quarter-finals. Köln has strong momentum, winning their last 11 matches and beating Mülheim convincingly twice this season.

Mülheim, however, demonstrated resilience by overturning a dramatic playoff deficit to reach the Final Four.

With strong contenders across both competitions, the stage is set for an exciting weekend in Bonn. The key question remains: which teams will emerge victorious and claim the coveted championship trophies?

Those wishing to tune in, Dyn will show all the games live while th men’s semi-final and the women’s final will be broadcast free of charge by Sportbild and Bild.

Full Where to Watch information is here: https://www.hockeybundesliga.de/articles/zwei-free-spiele-beim-final4

Saturday, May 30, 2026 — Semi-finals
11:45 am: Mannheimer HC – Harvestehuder THC (Women’s 1st Semi-Final)
2:00 pm: Großflottbeker THGC – Düsseldorfer HC (Women’s 2nd Semi-Final)
4:15 pm: Hamburg Polo Club – Harvestehuder THC (1st HF Men)
6:30 pm: Rot-Weiss Köln – Uhlenhorst Mülheim (Men’s 2nd Semi-final)

Sunday, May 31, 2026 — Finals
11:30 am: Women’s Final
2:30 pm: Men’s Final