Belgian champions Gantoise drew with last year’s regular season winners Royal Léopold in a blockbuster opening game to the new men’s Carlsberg 00 league season.
Léo have bolstered their firepower this season with Nelson Onana and José Basterra in their line-up and they went ahead in the 20th minute via Tom Boon – named the Stick D’Or winner this weekend, too.
Gantoise, though, have also strengthened significantly with Alex Hendrickx adding to their squad and he equalised in the 55th minute from a corner.
Waterloo Ducks – who will play in the EHL KO16 with Léo – were big winners of day one as they proved too strong for Daring in a 5-2 result.
Braxgata – with new arrivals Arthur van Doren and Pirmin Blaak in their panel – edged out Beerschot 3-2.
On the women’s side, champions Gantoise had a hard-fought win over Leuven with Emilie Sinia and Astrid Bonami scoring the goals in a 2-1 success.
“We are delighted not to have fallen into the trap of Leuven who have a good team” , Sinia told Le Soir.
“We will play for the title. It is still a little early to talk about our biggest rivals, but Braxgata, Watducks and Dragons will be solid. Wellington has strengthened well.”
Brax defeated White Star with a comfortable 7-0 win, Stephanie Vanden Borre netting four times before being named the Stick D’Or winner for her super 2023/24 season.
