Wednesday, July 16: Following their EY Champions Trophy triumph, Banbridge have been handed a tough test in the 2025/26 Euro Hockey League KO16 – drawn against Dutch powerhouse and six-time EHL winners HC Bloemendaal.
The Ulster club booked their place in Europe with a thrilling post-season run, dispatching Avoca in the quarter-finals, shocking Three Rock Rovers in the semis, and edging rivals Lisnagarvey in a dramatic penalty shoot-out. Mark Cowan scored the decisive penalty shoot-out that sealed the EY Champions Trophy title and Banbridge’s ticket to Europe.
Now, they’ll look to cause a major upset in Barcelona when they face Bloemendaal, with a KO8 spot on the line. The winner will go on to meet either England’s Old Georgians or Swiss outfit HC Olten.
Last season, Banbridge were edged out 4-2 by Belgian side Royal Leopold in the KO16, but bounced back with a 3-0 win over Grasshopper Club in the ranking match.
The Euro Hockey LeagueKO16 and KO8 rounds of the Euro Hockey League will take place at Real Club de Polo, Barcelona, from October 9th to 12th.