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.”