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All the news for Wednesday 26 May 2021

Trans-Tasman Series 2021
2021 Test Matches NZL vs AUS (M)
Palmerston North (NZL)

27 May 2021 17:30 (GMT +12)     NZL v AUS
28 May 2021 17:30 (GMT +12)     NZL v AUS
30 May 2021 15:00 (GMT +12)     NZL v AUS
01 Jun 2021 19:30 (GMT +12)     NZL v AUS

2021 Test Matches NZL vs AUS (W)
Palmerston North (NZL)

27 May 2021 19:30     NZL v AUS
28 May 2021 19:30     NZL v AUS
30 May 2021 13:00     NZL v AUS
01 Jun 2021 17:30     NZL v AUS

FIH Match Centre

Hockeyroos and Kookaburras raring to go for Trans-Tasman Series



The Kookaburras and the Hockeyroos will end their international hockey drought tomorrow night when they take on the Blacksticks (New Zealand’s Men’s and Women’s Teams) in the Sentinel Trans-Tasman Series.

446 days have passed since Australia’s flagship national hockey teams played an international match due to COVID.

Now the opportunity to represent Australia has finally come around again when the teams run out against the Black Sticks in Palmerston North for the first of the 4-match series.

“It has been such a long time. Everyone is so excited and also grateful for the opportunity to play international hockey again,” said Hockeyroos midfielder Steph Kershaw on the eve of the series.

“When you haven’t been able to do something you love for so long it makes you realise how much you love it and miss it.”

The Hockeyroos and the Black Sticks have a history of titanic matches and fierce contests. Kershaw does not see this series between the Trans-Tasman rivals being any different.

“It’s always a massive battle against New Zealand and it always seems to ebb and flow in terms of results so we have to ready for anything,” said Kershaw.

“They are a good side and we have been preparing well so it will be good to see where both teams are at.”

Significantly, the series will also act as an audition for every player in the Hockeyroos squad to put themselves in contention for Olympic selection.

With 27 players in the squad and only 16 named in the team for Tokyo, there is everything to play for both individually and collectively.

“You have pressure on yourself whenever you play international hockey but the Olympic selection obviously adds a bit of extra pressure,” said Kershaw.

“But I don’t think it’s anything we’re not prepared for so we’ll be ready to put our best foot forward both individually and as a group.”

For the Kookaburras, who were heading into Tokyo 2020 as one of the favourites before the 12 month postponement of the Games, this series is invaluable according to co-captain Aran Zalewski.

“We were preparing for a situation where we might not have any international matches before the Olympics, but to be able to come to New Zealand and then have them come to Australia next month is going to make a world of difference to our preparation,” said Zalewski.

“To say there is some excitement and anticipation would be an understatement. There is a lot of excitement bubbling among the boys so coming out here tomorrow, there are going to be some nerves because we haven’t done it for so long but there is a great energy.”

Used to spending large portions of the year travelling the globe to play hockey, Zalewski said it was a thrill heading overseas for a match again after so long without international competition.

“This is abnormal for us. Going on a plane was very exciting…we’re back on tour, we’re together and we’re trying to get better at playing hockey at a high level,” Zalewski said.

“We really enjoy being on tour as a group.”

Less than two months out from the Olympics, Zalewski admitted there were a lot of unknowns heading into this series.

However, the focus for the Kookaburras across the next four games was reinforcing everything the squad has been working on over the past 14 months.

“We’re quite familiar with the New Zealand players but there has been that 14 month period where we have both been training in our home bases,” said Zalewski.

That is a lot of time to develop strategies so we’ll just have to wait and see what happens in these four games.”

“For us it is going to be a lot about the processes that we run throughout the tournament. We don’t have too many opportunities to play internationally before we go to Tokyo so we really need to solidify our game style and how we want to play at the Olympics.”

The Sentinel Homes Trans-Tasman Series will be broadcast LIVE on Sky Sport and the Sky Sport Next YouTube Channel.

Sentinel Homes Trans-Tasman Series
New Zealand v Australia
Massey University turf, Palmerston North

Thursday 27 May 2021

5.30pm (3.30pm AEST) Kookaburras v Vantage Black Sticks Men
7.30pm (5.30pm AEST) Hockeyroos v Vantage Black Sticks Women

Friday 28 May 2021

5.30pm (3.30pm AEST) Kookaburras v Vantage Black Sticks Men
7.30pm (5.30pm AEST) Hockeyroos v Vantage Black Sticks Women

Sunday 30 May 2021

1.00pm (11.00am AEST) Hockeyroos v Vantage Black Sticks Women
3.00pm (1.00pm AEST) Kookaburras v Vantage Black Sticks Men

Tuesday 1 June 2021

5.30pm (3.30pm AEST) Hockeyroos v Vantage Black Sticks Women
7.30pm (5.30pm AEST) Kookaburras v Vantage Black Sticks Men

Hockey Australia media release

NZ Teams bursting with excitement to play international hockey again



The drought of international hockey on our shores will be broken tomorrow night in Palmerston North when the Vantage Black Sticks take on Australia.

The four captains at today’s photo call were like excited debutants to be within 24 hours of finally putting 15 months of training into action in the Sentinel Homes Trans-Tasman series.

Vantage Black Sticks Women’s Captain Stacey Michelsen said the squad was full of nervous excitement.

“There’s a little bit of nerves in the group which shows we’re excited to be playing and that we recognise it will be a big step up from what we’ve been doing without any international test matches.”

Michelsen, the most capped ever Black Stick with 287 matches for her country, described the series against the Hockeyroos as heading into the unknown.

“It is a bit of an unknown as we normally scout teams so well but with the lack of hockey we haven’t been able to do that. So for us it’s really honing in what we know we can do well and just being prepared for the fast-paced attacking style that we know Australia bring to their game.”

Vantage Black Sticks Men’s Captain Blair Tarrant said it was a great opportunity to play a team of the quality of the Kookaburras in the build-up to the Tokyo Olympics.

“The team’s been playing against each other for a year now so to test ourselves against another nation is massive.”

“Australia bring a high energy and high pressure game and they do it well. We also don’t know what they’re been up to hiding away in Perth for a year now.”

There are three debutants in the Black Sticks men’s squad – Wellington defender Oliver MacIntyre and the Hawke’s Bay pair of Sean Findlay (midfielder) and Sam Hiha (striker). They also welcome back prolific goalscorer Nick Wilson who last played for his country five years ago at the Rio Olympics.

Auckland striker Tyler Lench is the only uncapped player in the women’s squad.

The eight matches, to be played at the new Massey University turf in Palmerston North, will be the first internationals in New Zealand since the FIH Pro League was interrupted by Covid-19 in March last year.

The four doubleheaders will be broadcast live on either SKY Sport 2 or SKY Sport 9 as well as free to view on SKY Sport Next.

Tickets are still available for tomorrow, Friday and Tuesday, and can be purchased here.

The Black Sticks squads for the Tokyo Olympics will be named in the week after the Trans-Tasman series. The Black Sticks will then head to Perth to face the Hockeyroos and the Kookaburras in a two-match series on 26 and 27 June.

Vantage Black Sticks squads for the Sentinel Homes Trans-Tasman series

Men: Steve Edwards, George Muir (North Harbour); Leon Hayward (GK), Jared Panchia (Auckland); Nic Woods (Waikato); Sean Findlay, Sam Hiha, Shea McAleese, Dylan Thomas (Hawke’s Bay); Nick Wilson (Manawatu); Stephen Jenness, Dane Lett, Oliver MacIntyre, Jacob Smith (Wellington); David Brydon, George Enersen (GK), Sam Lane, Dominic Newman (Canterbury); Hugo Inglis, Nick Ross, Kane Russell, Blair Tarrant (Otago).

Women: Ella Gunson, Stacey Michelsen (Northland); Steph Dickins (North Harbour); Katie Doar, Julia King, Tyler Lench, Grace O’Hanlon (GK), Liz Thompson (Auckland); Tarryn Davey (Thames Valley); Alia Jaques (Waikato); Samantha Charlton, Frances Davies, Rose Keddell (Tauranga); Holly Pearson, Hope Ralph (Taranaki); Georgia Barnett (GK), Kayla Whitelock, Olivia Shannon (Manawatu); Megan Hull (Wairarapa); Kelsey Smith (Nelson); Olivia Merry (Canterbury); Tessa Jopp (Otago).

For all four squads, click here.

Sentinel Homes Trans-Tasman series match schedule

Thursday 27 May (Sky Sport 2 & Sky Sport Next)
5.30pm Vantage Black Sticks Men v Kookaburras
7.30pm Vantage Black Sticks Women v Hockeyroos

Friday 28 May (Sky Sport 9 & Sky Sport Next)
5.30pm Vantage Black Sticks Men v Kookaburras
7.30pm Vantage Black Sticks Women v Hockeyroos

Sunday 30 May (Sky Sport 2 & Sky Sport Next)
1pm Vantage Black Sticks Women v Hockeyroos
3pm Vantage Black Sticks Men v Kookaburras

Tuesday 1 June (Sky Sport 9 & Sky Sport Next)
5.30pm Vantage Black Sticks Women v Hockeyroos
7.30pm Vantage Black Sticks Men v Kookaburras

Black Sticks website

Black Sticks eager to get back on the turf against Australia

George Heagney


Black Sticks hockey player Megan Hull is excited to be back playing international hockey. WARWICK SMITH/Stuff

A 15-month enforced break from the turf has been too long a wait for New Zealand’s Black Stick hockey players.

Covid-19 ruined any hopes of playing test matches in the past year, but the Black Sticks women and men finally resume international hockey when they play four tests each against Australia at Massey University in Palmerston North, with the first tests on Thursday night.

They will be the first international games in New Zealand since the Pro League was interrupted by Covid-19 in March last year, so 31-test defender Megan Hull was keen to get back out there.

“I think everyone is just really excited about playing an international match,” she said. “It's been a long time, 15 months, since the last matches.

“It will be really exciting to see how it goes. I think both sides are looking forward to good hockey.”

Auckland-based Hull, 25, is from Pongaroa in rural Tararua and went to Wairarapa College and Waikato University. She was excited about playing a test match close to home.

Once Covid-19 hit last year, she returned to the region and was recruited by Palmerston North’s High School Hockey Club, where her sister Wendy Ridd was the player coach, but is now back in Auckland.

The women’s Black Sticks all played in the domestic premier league last year and in the North versus South game earlier this year, but otherwise have only been training together and playing teams in Auckland.

Hull said they had been working on getting the basics right and even though they had played in strong domestic games, there was nothing like a test match.

“We have played [Australia] a few times in the past, but internationals are so different. It's been 15 months since anyone played.”


The captains of the New Zealand and Australian men’s and women’s hockey teams prepare to do battle in Palmerston North this week. From left is Kookaburras captain Aran Zalewski, Black Sticks men’s captain Blair Tarrant, Black Sticks women’s captain Stacey Michelsen and Hockeyroos captain midfielder Stephanie Kershaw.
David Unwin/Stuff

Another motivator for the side to perform in Palmerston North is the thought of the Tokyo Olympics, with this series the last before Olympic squads are chosen.

Hull isn’t the only one keen to play again, with Australian captain Stephanie Kershaw also eager to return to action.

Australia hasn’t played since the Pro League last year either, so after such a long layoff, Kershaw said she wanted to step out on the turf again and represent her country.

Even though they haven’t had any test matches, the Australian team have been together in Perth and Kershaw said it had been beneficial training as a group.

Just like New Zealand, this series is one of their last hitouts before the Olympics, which were postponed to this year due to Covid-19, so motivation in the Australian squad is high too.

“We’ve always had the mindset [the Olympics] are definitely going ahead. We’re trying really had to put everything in place to perform at the Olympics.”

She expected stiff competition from their rivals the Black Sticks in this series.

The New Zealand men and women last played Australia at the Oceania Cup in Queensland in September 2019, which the Black Sticks women won and men lost.

After this series the men and women will play two tests each in Perth, delayed matches from last year's interrupted Pro League.

Tickets for the Palmerston North series are available from the Black Sticks website. Temporary seating has been brought in to the venue.

Schedule:

Thursday: Black Sticks men v Kookaburras, 5.30pm; Black Sticks women v Hockeyroos, 7.30pm.

Friday: Black Sticks men v Kookaburras, 5.30pm; Black Sticks women v Hockeyroos, 7.30pm.

Sunday: Black Sticks women v Hockeyroos, 1pm; Black Sticks men v Kookaburras, 3pm.

Tuesday: Black Sticks women v Hockeyroos, 5.30pm; Black Sticks men v Kookaburras, 7.30pm.

Stuff

Black Sticks attempt to replicate Tokyo Olympics life as they return to the turf

Brendon Egan


Captain Stacey Michelsen and the Black Sticks will play an international for the first time in 453 days on Thursday. Marcelo Endelli/Getty Images

Black Sticks hockey players are trying to simulate the Covid-19 environment they will face at the Tokyo Olympics.

New Zealand's men's and women's teams will play international matches for the first time in 453 days on Thursday when they face Australia in a four-game series at Palmerston North’s new Massey University turf.

With the countdown to the Olympics two months away, the Black Sticks have donned face masks whenever they leave their hotel rooms this week, to try and mirror what they will encounter in Japan.

“We've been so fortunate where we've been able to live very normal lives over here and that means we’re definitely not used to the strict protocols, which is certainly why we’ve practised it here because you can't just turn those on, you’ve got to practice them,” Black Sticks women's captain Stacey Michelsen said.

“We’ve been practising a few of those protocols [in Palmerston North] this week.”

Michelsen and the Black Sticks were still waiting for official word on the Covid-19 regulations for hockey games at the Olympics.

If players who weren't on the turf were forced to wear face masks in the dug-out during games, she said it was something they would be prepared for.


Stacey Michelsen contests the ball against Australia at the 2019 Oceania Cup in Rockhampton. Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images

“You've got to do all you can to minimise the risk. For now the main focus has been ensuring we’re doing those cleaning protocols, in terms of hand sanitising and washing your hands, and getting used to wearing a mask for long periods of time. If you haven't done that, it can be a little weird at the start.”

The Black Sticks men and women haven’t played an international since March 1 last year, just before the Covid-19 pandemic began to cause havoc around the globe.

While they hadn’t been able to test themselves against international opposition, the Black Sticks have been in their centralised training programme in Auckland since January this year.

An inaugural New Zealand premier hockey league was held late last year to give the players meaningful games, combined with a North versus South series in April.


Stacey Michelsen is the most capped player in New Zealand women’s hockey history with 287 games. Kai Schwoerer/Getty Images

“I think the great thing is we’ve all been together training hard [in our centralised programme].

“There’s been a few times where Auckland has gone into lockdown and we’ve had to stop training. Of late, we've had some really good training weeks together and everyone is working so hard.”

Going from a hectic international schedule and frequent global travel to no games had been a major adjustment for the Black Sticks.

Wearing the black uniform again and hearing the national anthem play before matches would be a timely reminder about how special it was to represent their country, Michelsen said.

“In previous years you don't take it for granted, but you forget how many games we do play as hockey players. Some years, you're playing between 30 and 40 matches a year and to go from that down to zero was a huge shock.

“Everyone is a little bit nervous to be honest in recognition that it will be a step up from what we’ve been able to replicate here.”

Hockey matches between New Zealand and Australia are always played at a high intensity with little love lost between the two countries.


The Black Sticks women celebrate winning gold against Australia at the 2018 Commonwealth Games. Ryan Pierse/Getty Images

The Black Sticks women have got the better of the Hockeyroos in recent years, winning the 2019 Oceania Cup series on goal difference in Rockhampton to qualify for Tokyo. New Zealand also captured gold at the 2018 Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast, winning 4-1 against their trans-Tasman rival.

The sides are in the same group for the Olympics, so this will provide an early glimpse of what they can expect from Australia.

“They’ve got a few players with some wheels on them and the skill to go with it. If you're not well-structured you can really get penetrated through those lines. Around the back, they're really solid. Australia know how to defend well.”

Double-headers between the New Zealand and Australian men and women will also be played on Friday, Sunday, and Tuesday.

The Black Sticks’ Olympic squads are expected to be named in the week after the trans-Tasman series.

AT A GLANCE:

Thursday:

5.30pm: Black Sticks men v Australia
7.30pm: Black Sticks women v Australia

Friday:

5.30pm: Black Sticks men v Australia
7.30pm: Black Sticks women v Australia

Sunday:

1pm: Black Sticks women v Australia
3pm: Black Sticks men v Australia

Tuesday:

5.30pm: Black Sticks women v Australia
7.30pm: Black Sticks men v Australia

Squads:

Black Sticks men: Steve Edwards, George Muir (North Harbour); Leon Hayward (GK), Jared Panchia (Auckland); Nic Woods (Waikato); Sean Findlay, Sam Hiha, Shea McAleese, Dylan Thomas (Hawke’s Bay); Nick Wilson (Manawatu); Stephen Jenness, Dane Lett, Oliver MacIntyre, Jacob Smith (Wellington); David Brydon, George Enersen (GK), Sam Lane, Dominic Newman (Canterbury); Hugo Inglis, Nick Ross, Kane Russell, Blair Tarrant (Otago).

Black Sticks women: Ella Gunson, Stacey Michelsen (Northland); Steph Dickins (North Harbour); Katie Doar, Julia King, Tyler Lench, Grace O’Hanlon (GK), Liz Thompson (Auckland); Tarryn Davey (Thames Valley); Alia Jaques (Waikato); Samantha Charlton, Frances Davies, Rose Keddell (Tauranga); Holly Pearson, Hope Ralph (Taranaki); Georgia Barnett (GK), Kayla Whitelock, Olivia Shannon (Manawatu); Megan Hull (Wairarapa); Kelsey Smith (Nelson); Olivia Merry (Canterbury); Tessa Jopp (Otago).

Stuff

Indoor USMNT Coaches Narrow Squad for IPAC Selections



COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. - U.S. Men’s National Indoor Team Head Coach Jason Mulder and the coaching staff have narrowed the selection squad to help name the team to compete at the men’s 2021 Indoor Pan American Cup (IPAC). Taking place June 25 to 27 at The Training Center in Spring City, Pa., the IPAC is a men’s and women’s event that will be played in a round-robin format with no crossovers, only classification matches, and is a qualifier for the 2022 Indoor Hockey World Cup.

“This year’s selection process was a challenging one due to COVID-19,” commented Mulder. “We, as a staff, had to pivot on more than one occasion. In the end, I believe we have selected a very competitive squad. I would like to take this opportunity to thank all players and staff who made tryouts possible. We now look forward to our final IPAC preparation phase.”

Of the narrowed squad, four athletes have previously participated in the IPAC. Pat Harris (Moorpark, Calif.) competed in four editions, including the very first one in 2002. Ajai Dhadwal (Agoura Hills. Calif.) and JaJa Kentwell (Spring City, Pa.) were both rostered in 2014. Six athletes named are also on the senior outdoor program with another two on the junior outdoor squads.

2021 IPAC U.S. Men’s National Indoor Team Training Squad:

James Albanese (Mercerville, N.J.), Brett Andrews (Pittsburgh, Pa.), Shomik Chakraborty (Washington, D.C.), Christian DeAngelis (Doylestown, Pa.), Ajai Dhadwal (Agoura Hills, Calif.),  Pat Harris (Moorpark, Calif.), Vincent Heller (Stuttgart, Germany), Colin Hennessy (Marlborough, Mass.), Aki Kaeppeler (Stuttgart, Germany), JaJa Kentwell (Spring City, Pa.), Jonathan Klages (Berlin, Germany), Barry Merriman (Washington, D.C.), Izaak Pels (Spring City, Pa.), Nicholas Richardson (Sunapee, N.H.)

The final 12-athlete IPAC roster will be selected amongst these players prior to the event.

Making up the men’s competition is Trinidad and Tobago (ranked 12th in the world), Canada (15th), Argentina (20th) and USA (42nd).

While the last men’s IPAC took place in 2017, the U.S. Men’s National Indoor Team last competed in 2014 in Montevideo, Uruguay where they fell to Canada 4-2 in the gold medal match, narrowly missing Indoor Hockey World Cup qualification. They also competed in 2002 (2nd), 2004 (2nd), 2005 (3rd) and 2008 (1st).

With both indoor programs being fully self-funded, a fundraiser has been set up to help bridge the costs prior to and during the 2021 IPAC. The 2-week, online fundraiser ‘Fans in the Stands’ through Varsity Graphics is in support of both the U.S. Men’s and Women’s Indoor Teams. Since there will be no spectators allowed in attendance for this international event, fans are encouraged to support the teams ‘in-person’ by purchasing a fan cutout sign. Show team pride by submitting a picture of yourself decked out in USA gear and your purchased sign will be displayed in the bleachers. All proceeds from this ‘Fan in the Stands’ Fundraiser will go to the indoor programs. The deadline to purchase is Sunday, June 6 at 11:59 p.m. ET.

USA Field Hockey would like to thank Osaka for their sponsorship of the U.S. Men’s and Women’s National Indoor Team programs, as well as the United States Men’s Field Hockey Foundation for their generous and continued support of the indoor program.

For more information regarding the Indoor Pan American Cups event page.

#IPAC2021

USFHA media release

Brasschaat and Hamburg to host EHL Cup 2021



The EHL Cup 2021 will take place at KHC Dragons and UHC Hamburg in late September and early October following confirmation by the European Hockey Federation of the next steps in the Euro Hockey League calendar.

It follows Easter’s reduced FINAL4 format – to account for Covid-19 restrictions – and will offer all teams who originally qualified for the 2020/21 season’s EHL the chance to finally hit the turf in world hockey’s premier club competition.

It will lead to the finalisation of the EHL Ranking tables with performances of each club potentially earning improved European spots for the 2021/22 season. The EHL Ranking tables will be published on October 4, 2021.

Recently crowned Belgian champions Dragons will play host to the EHL Men’s Cup at their grounds in the park of Brasschaat from September 30 to October 3 with 16 teams taking part. Teams will play on either on September 30 and October 1 or else have their matches on October 2 and 3. This will be the third time the club have hosted the EHL following a ROUND1 event in 2011 and then the FINAL4 in 2017.

The competition will consist of Mannheimer HC (Germany), Rot-Weiss Köln (Germany), SV Kampong (Netherlands), HC ’s-Hertogenbosch (Neterlands), La Gantoise HC (Belgium), KHC Dragons (Belgium), Club de Campo de Madrid (Spain), Surbiton (England), Hampstead & Westminster (England), Dinamo-Ak Bars (Russia), Dinamo Elektrostal (Russia), Saint Germain (France), Three Rock Rovers (Ireland), HC Minsk (Belarus), Grange (Scotland) and SV Arminen (Austria).

The draw will be announced during the EuroHockey Championship in June.

The EHL Women’s Cup will take place on October 2 and 3. It features four teams and will take place at the famous UHC Clubanlage venue. The German club previously welcomed the EHL for the 2009 men’s KO16.

In addition to hosts UHC Hamburg, England’s Surbiton, Ireland’s Pegasus and Belarus’s HC Minsk will battle it out on October 2 and 3 for this cup title.

“These events will be the first EHL event with crowds since October 2019 and so it is, of course, very exciting to welcome fans back,” EHL Chairman Hans-Erik Tuijt said.

“Another first is the hosting of a women’s event in October. In the spirit of always improving the best club hockey in the world, the EHL keeps pushing for new ways to connect with our fans.”

KHC Dragons chairman Renaud Stiers is looking forward to hosting a unique knock-out tournament at a venue close to the EHL’s heart.

“KHC Dragons is honoured to host the EHL Cup this autumn. We have good memories of hosting the FINAL4 in 2017 and really look forward to welcoming the elite of European hockey and many hockey fans to our premises again for four days of top hockey.”

From UHC Hamburg’s perspective, club chairman Horst Müller-Wieland is delighted to host the special event: “It is always a great honour and a great experience to play an EHL competition.

“In recent years, we have already enjoyed the hospitality of HC Minsk in Belarus and Surbiton HC in England in European competition.

“We are delighted to now have the chance to return the hospitality and welcome to these teams, together with Pegasus HC from Belfast, to our club in Germany’s hockey-metropolis, Hamburg. UHC Hamburg is looking forward to exciting international games!”

Details for the 2021/22 EHL season will be announced in due course.

EHL Cup 2021 details

EHL Women’s Cup entrants (October 2-3, 2021): UHC Hamburg (Germany), Surbiton (England), Pegasus (Ireland), HC Minsk (Belarus)

EHL Men’s Cup entrants (September 30 – October 3, 2021): Mannheimer HC (Germany), Rot-Weiss Köln (Germany), SV Kampong (Netherlands), HC ’s-Hertogenbosch (Netherlands), La Gantoise HC (Belgium), KHC Dragons (Belgium), Club de Campo de Madrid (Spain), Surbiton (England), Hampstead & Westminster (England), Dinamo-Ak Bars (Russia), Dinamo Elektrostal (Russia), Saint Germain (France), Three Rock Rovers (Ireland), HC Minsk (Belarus), SV Arminen (Austria), Grange (Scotland)

** Click here to see full ranking tables:

Men https://eurohockey.org/download/outdoor-clubs-ranking-points-men/
Women https://eurohockey.org/download/outdoor-clubs-ranking-points-women/

Euro Hockey League media release

Focus of India men’s hockey team is on peaking at the right time during Games, says Nilkanta Sharma

The midfielder from Manipur added that the Indian team, which won the last of its eight gold medals in 1980, 'can certainly make history' if they play to their full potential.


India hockey team. Twitter@TheHockeyIndia

Bengaluru: Midfielder Nilkanta Sharma is confident about the Indian men's hockey team rewriting history at the upcoming Tokyo Olympics, saying the side needs to peak at the right time to be able to break its four decade-long medal drought.

India have won eight gold medals in the past, but their last top finish came way back in the 1980 Moscow Olympics.

"Everyone is confident about their respective games and if we play to our full potential, we can certainly make history in the Tokyo Olympics. It's all about peaking at the right time and that will be our main focus once the Olympics is underway," said Nilkanta, who is a vital cog in India's midfield along side skipper Manpreet Singh.

By his own admission, the Manipuri player said he is a big fan of Manpreet from whom he has learnt a lot.

"It's been a great journey with the Indian team so far. We have seen a lot of highs and I feel we can do even better in the upcoming years. I have been very lucky to have the chance of playing alongside a player like Manpreet Singh in the midfield. I have learned a lot from him.

"I have improved a lot in the last few years, but I really want to take my game to the next level this year," said the 26-year-old, who has played 57 matches for India so far," he added.

Nilakanta, who was part of the gold medal-winning team in the 2019 FIH Men's Series Finals in Bhubaneswar, also highlighted the areas where he feels the team needs to focus on ahead of the Olympics.

"I think we can improve on executing our short passes and maintaining possession for a longer period. If we keep the ball with us for a longer period of time, then we can create more opportunities to score.

"We just have to make a few tweaks here and there," he said.

Firstpost

Nilakanta Sharma: “We can certainly make history in the Tokyo Olympics”.



Bengaluru: Like most in the ongoing Bengaluru camp, midfiedler Nilakanta Sharma (57caps) feels the team can make history at the forthcoming Olympics. He was stated as saying: “The Olympics is not far away. Our preparations for the big is event is carrying on in full swing. Everyone is confident about their respective games and if we play to our full potential, we can certainly make history in the Tokyo Olympics. It’s all about peaking at the right time and that will be our main focus once the Olympics is underway.”

He also further expressed that he is extremely fortunate to have the chance of playing alongside his Captain Manpreet Singh. Nilakanta, who was part of the FIH Men’s Series Finals Bhubaneswar Odisha 2019 Gold Medal-winning team, also said that he is looking to take his game to the next level in 2021.

“It’s been a great journey with the Indian team so far. We have seen a lot of highs and I feel we can do even better in the upcoming years. I have been very lucky to have the chance of playing alongside a player like Manpreet Singh in the Midfield region. I have learned a lot from him. And there’s a lot more to learn from him as well. I have improved a lot in the last few years, but I really want to take my game to the next level this year as it’s an important year for us,” said the 26-year-old.

While speaking about an aspect the team needs to improve upon, Nilakanta said, “I think we can improve on executing our short passes and maintaining possession for a longer period. If we keep the ball with us for a longer period of time, then we can create more opportunities to score. However, everyone in the team is playing well. We just have to make a few tweaks here and there,” said the Midfielder.

Nilakanta added that the team’s preparation for the Olympics is carrying on in full swing. He said that the team’s is very confident about achieving its goal in Tokyo.

“The Olympics is not far away. Our preparations for the big is event is carrying on in full swing. Everyone is confident about their respective games and if we play to our full potential, we can certainly make history in the Tokyo Olympics. It’s all about peaking at the right time and that will be our main focus once the Olympics is underway,” signed off Nilakanta.

Stick2Hockey.com

Hockey stadium to be named after legendary Balbir Singh Sr

The Mohali international hockey stadium will be renamed after the three-time Olympic champion on his first death anniversary on May 25.

By Rahul Venkat


Balbir SINGH DOSANJH

The Mohali international hockey stadium in Punjab will be renamed after Balbir Singh Senior, the Punjab government announced on Monday.

The legendary Balbir Singh Sr won three consecutive Olympic gold medals with the Indian hockey team in 1948, 1952 and 1956, the last of which came as captain of the side.

He scored five goals in India’s 6-1 victory over the Netherlands in the 1952 Olympic final, a record which still stands to this day.

Balbir Singh Sr died on May 25 last year at the age of 95. In honour of one of India’s greatest-ever sportspersons, Punjab sports minister Rana Gurmit Singh Sodhi decided to rename the stadium in Mohali on Tuesday.

Apart from being part of three Olympics-winning teams, Balbir Singh Sr also won the silver medal with the Indian hockey team at the 1958 Asian Games in Tokyo, Japan.

He was the first Indian sportsperson to be conferred the Padma Shri, India’s fourth-highest civilian award, in 1957.

Balbir Singh Sr also worked for many years in the Punjab Sports Department and served as coach of the Indian hockey team later.

As manager, Balbir Sr led Ajitpal SIngh-led India to their only hockey World Cup title to date (in 1975) and is widely considered one of the best players in hockey history.

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Mohali hockey stadium named after Balbir Singh Sr to mark his first death anniversary

One of the country's most accomplished athletes, the iconic center-forward was the only Indian among 16 legends chosen by the International Olympic Committee across modern Olympic history during the 2012 London Games.


Balbir Singh Senior passed away on 25 May, 2020.

Chandigarh: The Mohali International Hockey Stadium was on Tuesday officially renamed after the legendary Balbir Singh Senior on the occasion of his first death ceremony here.

The renaming was officially announced at a tribute ceremony held to remember the three-time Olympic gold medallist, who died at the age of 96 on 25 May last year.

One of the country's most accomplished athletes, the iconic center-forward was the only Indian among 16 legends chosen by the International Olympic Committee across modern Olympic history during the 2012 London Games.

"The Mohali International Hockey Stadium has been dedicated to the memory of Padma Shri Balbir Singh Sr in a formal ceremony at the hockey stadium on Tuesday on the first death anniversary of the legendary sportsperson," Punjab Sports Minister Rana Gurmit Singh Sodhi said.

Sodhi said from now on the stadium would be known as Olympian Balbir Singh Senior International Hockey Stadium.

He further said that once the COVID situation eases, the government has plans to conduct an international hockey tournament at the stadium to commemorate the all-time great's sporting journey.

Kabir Singh, the maternal grandson of late Balbir Singh Sr, was also present on the occasion.

The minister also said that the sports department would start a scholarship in the name of Balbir Singh Sr for outstanding sportspersons of the state.

Sodhi said a statue of the hockey great would also be installed at the stadium entrance.

Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh also fondly remembered the legend.

"Fondly remember legendary hockey player Padma Shri Balbir Singh Senior. On his first death anniversary today, Mohali International Hockey stadium is being dedicated to him," Singh tweeted.

"Balbir ji was a triple Olympic Gold Medallist and Manager & Chief Coach of the 1975 World Cup-winning team."

Balbir Singh Sr's world record for most goals scored by an individual in the men's hockey final of the Olympics still remains unbeaten.

He had scored five goals in India's 6-1 victory over the Netherlands in the gold medal match of the 1952 Helsinki Games. He was conferred with the Padma Shri in 1957.

Balbir Singh Sr's three Olympic gold medals came in London (1948), Helsinki (1952) as vice-captain, and Melbourne (1956) as captain.

He was also the manager of India's only World Cup-winning side in 1975.

He also served as the Director, Sports Department, Punjab.

The Punjab government had honoured the legend with Maharaja Ranjit Singh Award in 2019.

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