He has already reached the age of 35, but nevertheless former German international Marco Miltkau (160 international matches, 73 goals) made a dream transfer this summer: from centre-minder Klein Switzerland to 22-time national champion Bloemendaal. Push the gas pedal one more time, in the autumn of his career, is the intention of the cold-blooded finisher, who does not want to know anything about a field hockey retirement. ‘To give it my all, I moved straight from The Hague to Amsterdam this summer.’
Age is ultimately just a number, they realize all too well at Bloemendaal. In 2018, Australian field hockey legend Jamie Dwyer, father of 38, made his comeback at his old love at ‘t Kopje. It became a huge success. It seemed as if the years had no grip on the five-time best player in the world, who could even excel in the most important phase of the season. For example, he scored in the semifinals of the playoffs against Amsterdam, as a routine 39-year-old. Dwyer also scored a goal in the EHL final against Kampong. Even with forty in your sights, you can still shine at the very highest level.
Nevertheless, it came as a surprise to many that Bloemendaal will open the hunt for national champion Amsterdam next season with a 35-year-old veteran as their attacking leader. Not least for himself. ‘I totally didn’t see the phone call coming, no,’ laughs reigning world champion Miltkau. ‘But I was immediately curious about what exactly they had in mind for me. Bloemendaal is such a big club, globally speaking, I was immediately interested in that.’
Marco Miltkau celebrates another goal as a player of Klein Switzerland, as only he can. Photo: Willem Vernes
Winning goal at the Games
Scoring is second nature to Miltkau. His last goal for Germany’s national team, for which he played for 12 years, unmistakably bears his signature. In the semifinals of the Paris Olympics, against India, the wily fox lurked for his chance when, five minutes before time, he put his stick on the ground and tipped in the liberating 3-2 from a cross that took Germany to the final. It betrays what Bloemendaal can expect from him next season.
I am not the most technical player, nor the fastest. But I do know very well where to stand in the circle. I am sharp on rebounds and tip-ins. I am a finisher,” Miltkau aptly summarizes his own game.
Das Phantom’ has to help Bloemendaal score goals
The nickname Bloemendaal gave him in the press release about his arrival – Das Phantom – was new to him. It made him smile, though. It is the same nickname as that of former soccer player Roy Makaay, who was also often invisible for 89 minutes at Bayern Munich, only to decide the game in the last minute anyway. Expectations surrounding Miltkau are high in the richest municipality in the Netherlands. It is high time to win prizes again, they think in Bloemendaal. After the golden era with three national titles and three EHLs, a new chapter has begun, one in which nothing has been won for two years.
Meanwhile, after last season, which was a shaky one with the early elimination in the playoffs and the defeat in the final of the Euro Hockey League, they have said goodbye to about half the forward. Dennis Warmerdam quit. Nathan Ephraums returned to Australia and Yannick van der Drift surprisingly made the move to neighboring HBS. To add new fire to the attack, 18-year-old Belgian talent Max Langer and 24-year-old German striker Elian Mazkour were brought in. But they had not yet played major tournaments for their national team. So Bloemendaal can put the experience of Miltkau, who has World Cup gold (2023, Bhubaneswar) and Olympic silver (2024, Paris) in his pocket, to good use.
In the 2023 World Cup final, in Bhubaneswar, Marco Miltkau takes a shoot-out against Belgian goalkeeper Vincent Vanasch. Photo: Willem Vernes
‘I can help those guys read the game’
Even before the season has begun properly, the German is already growing into the role expected of him: that of experienced guide for his teammates. ‘I try to make others better. I started doing that right from the first training session. Especially with the attackers. I walk up to players, talk to them and give them personal tips. Technically I don’t have to explain anything to them, those guys have so much talent. But I can help them read the game. For example, about where you have to stand, how you have to position yourself. Or which options you have when you have the ball. Small things, but they often make the difference.
The lost Olympic final against the Netherlands was his last game in the jersey of the German national team. After twelve years of international top field hockey, it was time for a new chapter in his life. Together with his brother-in-law, he started a company in e-marketing. At club level, he remained active in the gray midfield with Klein Switzerland, the team that took him to the big league in 2020.
I said right away: if I go for it, I will do it one hundred percent. Not eighty percent. I may be 35, but I really want to get the best out of myself this season. Marco Miltkau
All the more unexpected came the call from Bloemendaal a few months ago. But before anything was signed, coach Michel van den Heuvel wanted to look his new acquisition straight in the eye. Was he going to hobble along quietly at Bloemendaal, or was he going to go full throttle this season? Because if not, he didn’t have to come. Van den Heuvel was that clear.
Miltkau: ‘But that’s how I immediately thought about it myself. I said right away: if I go for it, I’ll do it one hundred percent. Not eighty percent. This summer I moved straight from The Hague to Amsterdam, so I don’t have to travel as far to Bloemendaal. I may be 35, but I really want to get the best out of myself this season. I want to pop.
With Germany, Marco Miltkau conquers the world title in India in 2023. Photo: Willem Vernes
At Bloemendaal he is back where he belongs: close to the goal
Whether he is the missing link Bloemendaal was looking for, of course, remains to be seen. The years are starting to count for him as well. Not a single field goal – although three goals from penalties – he scored last season with Klein Zwitserland. But as striker of the Steenbokken he was often low on the field, far from his hunting ground: the circle. With Bloemendaal he is back where he belongs: close to the goal. He can smell the net again, so to speak. It immediately reawakens the goal scorer in him.
We have so many guys who can deliver the ball in the circle. Then it’s up to me to strike there from nowhere. At least, that’s the idea. But I’m convinced that’s actually how it’s going to happen.’
by Hockey.nl
