All-time top EHL goalscorer Jeroen Hertzberger has announced his formal retirement from international hockey following a glittering career with the Netherlands.

Over 14 years, 267 caps, and three Olympics, he picked up European gold in both 2015 and 2021 and silver medals at the 2014 and 2018 World Cups.

Speaking about the decision, he said: “After 14 incredible years and 267 unforgettable matches, it’s time to bring my international career to a close.  I’ve cherished every moment: the highs that made dreams come true, and the challenges that made me stronger.

“It has been an honour to give my all for the lion, for the team, and for you, the supporters. I hope I’ve been able to inspire those around me and that my teammates could count on someone who showed up when it mattered most. That the lion on the chest always means more than the name on the back.“I look back with pride, gratitude, and a full heart. Thank you to everyone who supported me on this special journey: my teammates, roommates, coaches, physios, doctors, and managers. My family, who were there every step of the way.“Love the game, and the game will love you back.”

The Rotterdam legend still has plenty more to look forward to on the club stage this season following their incredible KO16 rescue-act.

Hertzberger scored with only a couple of seconds remaining to snatch a draw against Hamburger Polo Club in London which they were to convert into a FINAL8 ticket via a shoot-out. Next Easter, they will play against England’s Old Georgians in the FINAL8 in Den Bosch.

That was his 47th goal in the EHL in 40 appearances in the competition, dating back to October 2007. During that time, he has helped his home club win EHL silver in 2010 and bronze in 2008, 2009 and 2018.

Marco Miltkau – one of the EHL’s most decorated players – has announced his decision to retire from international hockey after a glittering career with Germany.

The 34-year-old steps back from that stage after European and World Cup gold, Olympic silver and 73 international goals in 160 games.

His last goal for the Honamas was probably one of his most important. In the semi-final of the Olympic Games in Paris, the score between Germany and India was still 2-2 with six minutes to go before he struck a “typical Miltkau goal” according to the German tv commentator.

Miltkau is already a legend, too, on the EHL stage. He sits second on the all-time goalscoring list with 35 goals in 46 games, winning the EHL twice with UHC Hamburg (2010 and 2012 – scoring in both finals) and once with Rot-Weiss Köln. He also took silver in 2009 as an 18-year-old and again in 2019.

“When we talk about special striker qualities in Germany, we always take Marco as a role model,” said German head coach André Henning who also worked with him at Rot-Weiss Köln.

“He is the phantom. You don’t see him but he’s there out of nowhere when we need him, somehow he sticks his stick in and can score goals like few others.

“But at least as important will be his value to us as a team. Marco has a special empathic ability and brought a different perspective. Thanks to him, our team was more diverse and better.

“What is particularly impressive is the fact that he has improved incredibly in the last few years of his career and eliminated supposed weaknesses.

“Great development can also happen at the end of a career, as he has impressively demonstrated.

“Of course I am sad to have to let go of players who I have known for over ten years and have been able to coach many of them. Above all, it was a great pleasure and honour for me.”

His retirement comes just a couple of days after the decision of EHL leading all-time goalscorer Jeroen Hertzberger to retire from international hockey.

SK Slavia Prague coach Tomáš Procházka says that while the Czech club has some inside knowledge on EHL FINAL12 opponents Surbiton, it will still be a big challenge when they meet in Den Bosch at Easter.

The two clubs were in Hamburg at the EuroHockey Club Trophy where the English side emerged victorious while the Czechs ended in sixth spot.

For Slavia, the expansion of EHL Women to 12 teams has opened the opportunity for the club to make its debut in this level of competition.

Indeed, it is their first appearance in the highest level on the continent since the old Club Cup in 2002 in Terrassa when they finished in seventh place.

With that in mind, the club always knew it would be a tough challenge but one they are embracing following the announcement of the draw.

“Even before yesterday’s EHL team draw, it was clear to us that there was no easy opponent for us,” said Procházka who previously played in the EHL with Mannheimer HC in 2010, 2011 and 2017.

“Whether it was Mannheim from Germany, SCHC from the Netherlands, Club de Campo, Braxgata or Surbiton, who was drawn for us, they are all great teams with professional players who often form the cornerstones of national teams.

“A certain advantage for us is that we were able to see Surbiton at the Club Trophy in Hamburg last year, so we have at least basic information about them. But now we will have to find out how their team has changed.

“The tournament is a huge challenge for us. After all, it is a tournament of the best clubs in Europe and a team from Czechia will play in it for the first time in history.

“We are among the outsiders of the tournament but the KO system is helping us and we will try to surprise, even if it will be extremely difficult.”

His side are currently second in the Czech women’s Extraliga at the winter break with six wins from eight games so far. Their more immediate focus, however, is on the indoor boards.

“We started preparing in the autumn and are continuing now, where we are mainly focusing on physical preparation, which will be one of the decisive factors.

“A traditional complication for us is indoor hockey because, in addition to the league, we also want to succeed in the indoor EuroHockey Club Cup in Lithuania [in February] and we have to prepare well.”

Tickets are now on sale for the ABN AMRO EHL FINALS next Easter at HC ’s-Hertogenbosch, with prices ranging from €10 to €46 for adults and €7.50 up to €30 fo children. 

The venue features three separate offerings for fans with seating available in the Mainstand and the East stand while there will also be a standing section.

ADULT PRICES (age 15 and over)

MainstandEastStanding16th April 20254 matches€20.00€15.00€10.0017th April 20255 matches€28.00€23.00€15.0018th April 20255 matches€28.00€23.00€15.0019th April 20254 matches€35.00€28.00€17.5020th April 20254 matches€35.00€28.00€17.5021st April 20254 matches€46.00€35.00€20.00

CHILDREN’S PRICES (age 4-14)

MainstandEastStanding16th April 20254 matches€15.00€10.00€7.5017th April 20255 matches€20.00€15.00€10.0018th April 20255 matches€20.00€15.00€10.0019th April 20254 matches€25.00€20.00€12.5020th April 20254 matches€25.00€20.00€12.5021st April 20254 matches€30.00€25.00€17.50

The match schedule for the ABN AMRO Euro Hockey League FINALS at HC ’s-Hertogenbosch next Easter has been confirmed with the route to continental glory laid out.

With the expansion to 12 teams on the women’s side, the event will now run over six days, beginning on April 16th 2025 with the four FINAL12 battles.

That day will feature the debuts of SK Slavia Prague and MSC Sumchanka who will become their country’s first EHL Women’s representatives when they take on Surbiton (12.30 CET) and Mannheimer HC (17.00 CET), respectively.

Braxgata make their first EHL appearance when they meet Club de Campo (14.45 CET) while Railway Union will look to take down Dutch giants in the closing match of daye one (19.15 CET).

Thursday, April 17th features five fixtures, starting with a women’s ranking match before the first set of FINAL8 fixtures with Düsseldorfer HC (12.45 CET) and Real Club de Polo (15.00 CET) awaiting on the women’s side.

The first men’s fixtures make up the evening session with 2016 champions SV Kampong taking on England’s Surbiton (17.15 CET) and then Bloemendaal face Club de Campo de Madrid (19.30 CET).

Friday, April 18th has another four FINAL8 contests after an initial women’s ranking match. Those showdowns begin with Gantoise’s women ready and waiting (13.15 CET) before their men take on Belgian rivals Royal Léopold (15.30 CET).

The last men’s FINAL8 battle puts Old Georgians against HC Rotterdam (17.45 CET) before the hosts Den Bosch make their tournament entry under the lights (20.00 CET).

From there, the tournament ramps up even further over the course of the weekend with four matches each day as each club looks to continue their pursuit of place in Monday’s medal matches and potential EHL glory.

Tickets will go on sale for the event on Monday.

ABN AMRO EHL Final8-Final12 2024-2025 Match schedule

16th – 21st April 2025 at HC ‘s-Hertogenbosch (NED)

Wednesday 16th April 2025

M1       12.30h FINAL12           (Women)          SK Slavia Prague vs Surbiton HC

M2       14.45h FINAL12           (Women)          Club de Campo de Madrid vs Braxgata HC

M3       17.00h FINAL12           (Women)          Mannheimer HC vs MSC Sumchanka

M4       19.15h FINAL12           (Women)          Railway Union HC vs SCHC

Thursday 17th April 2025

M5       10.30h Ranking match  (Women)          9th/11th place   Loser M1 vs Loser M2

M6       12.45h FINAL8             (Women)          Winner M1 vs Düsseldorfer HC

M7       15.00h FINAL8             (Women)          Real Club de Polo vs Winner M2

M8       17.15h  FINAL8             (Men)               SV Kampong vs Surbiton HC

M9       19.30h  FINAL8             (Men)               HC Bloemendaal vs Club de Campo de Madrid

Friday 18th April 2025   

M10     11.00h Ranking Match (Women)        9th/11th place   Loser M4 vs Loser M3

M11     13.15h FINAL8             (Women)          Winner M3 vs Gantoise HC

M12     15.30h  FINAL8             (Men)               Royal Leopold Club vs Gantoise HC

M13     17.45h  FINAL8             (Men)               Old Georgians HC vs HC Rotterdam

M14     20.00h FINAL8             (Women)          HC ‘s-Hertogenbosch vs Winner M4

Saturday 19th April 2025

M15     11.30h  Ranking Match  (Men)               5th/7th place Loser M8 vs Loser M9

M16     13.45h Ranking Match  (Women)          5th/7th place Loser M7 vs Loser M6

M17     16.00h  FINAL4             (Men)              Winner M8 vs Winner M9

M18     18.15h  FINAL4             (Men)              Winner M13 vs Winner M12

Sunday 20th April 2025  

M19     10.15h  Ranking Match  (Men)               5th/7th place  Loser M13 vs Loser M12

M20     12.30h FINAL4             (Women)          Winner M6 vs Winner M7

M21     14.45h FINAL4            (Women)          Winner M14 vs Winner M11

M22     17.00h  Ranking Match  (Women)          5th/7th place Loser M14 vs Loser M11

Monday 21st April 2025

M23     09.15h  Bronze Match   (Men)              Loser M17 vs Loser M18

M24     11.30h Bronze Match   (Women)          Loser M20 vs Loser M21

M25     13.45h  Grand Final       (Men)              Winner M17 vs Winner M18

M26     16.00h Grand Final       (Women)          Winner M21 vs Winner M20

Note: Match times and schedule subject to change due to the requirements of television or other factors as determined by EHL.

EHL – December 2024

The stage is set for the ABN AMRO EHL FINALS next Easter at HC ’s-Hertogenbosch with the women’s FINAL12 and men’s FINAL8 line-ups now confirmed.

The action begins on April 16th running through until April 21st 2025.

In the women’s draw, Irish newcomers Railway Union are set to meet Dutch giants SCHC for the right to play hosts Den Bosch in the FINAL8.

German runners-ups Mannheimer HC will face another fresh face with MSC Sumchanka set to be the first Ukraine team to play in the EHL. The winner of their game faces Belgium’s Gantoise.

On the other side of the draw, two-time Grand Finalists Club de Campo are facing debutantes Braxgata; waiting for the result of this one is Real Club de Polo.

Finally, Czech first-time entrants SK Slavia Prague meet Surbiton in the FINAL12 with Germany’s Düsseldorfer HC the prize in the next round.

For the men’s draw, the FINAL8 line-up sees 2016 champions SV Kampong come up against 2022 bronze medalists Surbiton.

Six-time winners HC Bloemendaal are pitted against Club de Campo from Madrid in the other match on this side of the bracket.

The other half has English champions Old Georgians lining up a battle with the other Dutch side remaining, HC Rotterdam.

And it is an all-Belgian affair in the final match on the draw sheet with Royal Léopold picked out to play against Gantoise.

The match schedule will be released on Friday, December 6th with tickets set to go on sale on Monday, December 9th.

ABN AMRO EHL Women FINAL12

Railway Union (Ireland) v SCHC (Netherlands)

Mannheimer HC (Germany) v MSC Sumchanka (Ukraine)

Club de Campo (Spain) v Braxgata (Belgium)

SK Slavia Prague (Czechia) v Surbiton (England)

FINAL8

HC ’s-Hertogenbosch (Netherlands) v Railway Union or SCHC

Mannheimer HC or MSC Sumchanka v Gantoise

Real Club de Polo (Spain) v Club de Campo or Braxgata

SK Slavia Prague or Surbiton v Düsseldorfer HC (Germany)

ABN AMRO EHL Men

FINAL8

SV Kampong (Netherlands) v Surbiton (England)

HC Bloemendaal (Netherlands) v Club de Campo (Spain)

Old Georgians (England) v HC Rotterdam (Netherlands)

Royal Léopold (Belgium) v Gantoise (Belgium)