Thursday, October 9 – Barcelona: Banbridge Hockey Club will swap domestic duties for continental competition this weekend as they head to Barcelona to face Dutch giants HC Bloemendaal in the KO16 of the Euro Hockey League (EHL), Europe’s premier club competition.
After narrowly missing out on retaining their EY Hockey League crown to Ulster rivals Lisnagarvey last season, Banbridge rediscovered their best form when it mattered most, clinching a third consecutive EY Champions Trophy and securing their place among Europe’s elite once again.
The County Down side have carried that momentum into the new campaign and currently sit top of the EYHL table as one of only two unbeaten teams and the only side to have won all of their matches so far. Now, they turn their attention to a formidable European challenge in the shape of HC Bloemendaal.
Saturday’s clash will mark the first time Banbridge have faced Dutch opposition in the EHL, and they could hardly have drawn a more storied opponent. Based in North Holland, Bloemendaal are one of the most decorated clubs in world hockey, with 22 Dutch league titles to their name, the joint most in history. On the European stage, they have captured a record six Euro Hockey League championships, most recently in 2023, when they claimed a third successive continental crown.
Speaking ahead of the encounter with HC Bloemendaal, Head Coach Scott McCandless said:
“The draw gives us the opportunity to test ourselves against one of the iconic clubs in Bloemendaal. This will be the first occasion Banbridge has encountered Dutch competition at any level in European Competition, and the squad cannot wait for this opportunity.”
The two sides will meet on Saturday, October 11 at 13:15 (Irish Time), with the game available to watch live on EuroHockeyTV.org.