The stage for next Easter’s ABN AMRO EHL FINALS – hosted by HC ’s-Hertogenbosch –  has been set with the draw for the women’s FINAL12 and the men’s FINAL8 made on Sunday evening in Barcelona.

In the women’s competition, Irish champions Railway Union will be up against Scottish newcomers Watsonian Hockey Club in the FINAL12 with the winner going on to face the hosts and reigning champions HC ’s-Hertogenbosch.

The next section of the draw sees last year’s bronze medalists Gantoise begin their campaign against SK Slavia Prague. The victor from that game will play Spanish number one side Club de Campo de Madrid.

On the other side of the draw, English debutantes Reading will be up against 2024 finalists Mannheimer HC. Waiting for them in the FINAL8 is German champions Harvestehuder THC.

And the final quadrant of the draw sees Dutch side SCHC up against Spanish Copa de la Reina winners Club Egara in the FINAL12 phase. Whoever wins that will go through to meet the Belgian champions and last year’s silver medalists Braxgata.

On the men’s side, the FINAL8 draw features two Dutch-German battles on the left side of the draw. AH&BC Amsterdam are up against KO16 qualifiers Hamburger Polo Club with the winner of that contest going on to face either SV Kampong or Crefelder HTC.

The other half of the draw sees English champions Surbiton up against Club de Campo de Madrid who shone in Barcelona last weekend.

Their prize for progressing will be a FINAL4 date with either Old Georgians – following their memorable win over Bloemendaal – or reigning champions Gantoise.

The match schedule and ticket details are set to be confirmed later this week.

The ABN AMRO 2026 EHL FINALS will be held at HC ’s-Hertogenbosch next Easter from April 1-6 with the club set to host the world’s best club competition for the second successive season.

The announcement was made in Barcelona following the conclusion of the EHL Men KO16 where the last sides to qualify for next Easter’s festival were confirmed.

“We are delighted to return for a second time to Den Bosch,” said EHL chairman Peter Elders. “We were so impressed by their hosting along with the sponsorship of Brabant Sport which created such a special atmosphere last Easter. We are very happy to return to the club and work together once again.”

Beyond the elite hockey, the event is a celebration of all forms of hockey including the ABN AMRO-sponsored Hockey ID championship, EHL Under 14, Walking Hockey and Hockey 5s competitions.

“I’m proud that our club is hosting the world’s premier club hockey tournament for the second consecutive year,” said Rob Almering, outgoing chair.

“Securing the EHL for ’s-Hertogenbosch and North Brabant, with our club as the host venue, has been a shared ambition and a personal priority. Elite sport unites, youth inspires, and together we create impact; this is hockey for everyone.”

“The 2025 EHL was a celebration of everything that makes North Brabant proud and vibrant, the passion for the sport, our club’s incredible dedication, and flawless organisation.

“That 2025 EHL experience in ’s-Hertogenbosch was one of several turning points for me and inspired me to take on the role of chair for our club,” said chair-designate Chantal van Oijen.

The draw was also made in Barcelona with the match-ups for the EHL Women FINAL12 and EHL Men FINAL8 confirmed.

The match schedule and ticket information will be released in the coming weeks.

James Mazarelo and Old Georgians produced a stunning performance to eliminate six-time champions Bloemendaal in an epic shoot-out, completing the EHL FINAL8 line-up.

They led twice in normal time with Alan Forsyth scoring both before Bloemendaal also fought back, earning the 2-2 draw in normal time.

But Mazarelo saved each effort from the Dutch side while Forsyth, James Albery and David Ames all smashed in early shots for a 3-1 shoot-out victory.

The first half bubbled up slowly with Bloemendaal building some momentum, forcing a big save from Albery off the line from a corner.

Albery’s deflected free then created the first goal just before half-time, Forsyth fishing the ball out of the sky and then slamming home from mid-circle.

The Dutch side were back on terms six minutes into the second half when Zach Wallace produced an amazing individual run to cut through and then flick in from a narrow angle.

But OGs were back ahead in jig-time, Forsyth again doing something special, catching a ball in from Liam Sanford and turning in one movement with the ball sling-shotting into the corner.

Lucas Veen equalised with four minutes left from a corner and they thought they had a winner in the last seconds when they forced the ball over the line from another corner.

It was pulled back, however, for a back-stick after a video review, sending the game to a shoot-out where the English side got their rewards.

James Mazarelo and Old Georgians produced a stunning performance to eliminate six-time champions Bloemendaal in an epic shoot-out, completing the EHL FINAL8 line-up.

They led twice in normal time with Alan Forsyth scoring both before Bloemendaal also fought back, earning the 2-2 draw in normal time.

But Mazarelo saved each effort from the Dutch side while Forsyth, James Albery and David Ames all smashed in early shots for a 3-1 shoot-out victory.

The first half bubbled up slowly with Bloemendaal building some momentum, forcing a big save from Albery off the line from a corner.

Albery’s deflected free then created the first goal just before half-time, Forsyth fishing the ball out of the sky and then slamming home from mid-circle.

The Dutch side were back on terms six minutes into the second half when Zach Wallace produced an amazing individual run to cut through and then flick in from a narrow angle.

But OGs were back ahead in jig-time, Forsyth again doing something special, catching a ball in from Liam Sanford and turning in one movement with the ball sling-shotting into the corner.

Lucas Veen equalised with four minutes left from a corner and they thought they had a winner in the last seconds when they forced the ball over the line from another corner.

It was pulled back, however, for a back-stick after a video review, sending the game to a shoot-out where the English side got their rewards.

Real Club de Polo eased to victory in their Ranking Match as four first half goals set them up against Western Wildcats, earning Spain points for a 13th place finish overall. Marc Miralles opened the scoring with a drag-flick and Nicolas Alvarez touched in a great pass for 2-0. 

Guillermo Fortuño extended the lead to three in spectacular style, flashing a reverse-stick shot into the roof of the net after a mazy run.Iain McFadden pulled one back with a powerful push after a slightly disorganised corner stop led to some clever improvisation.

Alvarez got another with a beautiful behind-the-back touch to Iñaki Zaldua’s cross; Zaldua was credited with the next, his pull-back going in off a defensive foot. And that was how it remained through to the final whistle as Western battled hard but could not find a second goal to add to their total.

In the second Ranking Match, Banbridge rounded off the EHL Men KO16 weekend with a strong 4-1 win over HC Olten to ensure they landed a 13th place finish for Ireland for the second successive season.

The Irish side led from the second minute through Peter Brown’s penalty stroke and they looked good value for the win throughout.

Eddie Rowe doubled the led in the seventh minute with a neat touch after an upright backhand shot from his brother Charlie Rowe.

Johnny McKee made it 3-0 at half-time and then Louis Rowe finished off a great team move for the fourth. Olten got their first EHL goal in the closing minutes via Lukas Hengartner.

Three goals in a five-minute spell in the third quarter saw SV Kampong pull away from Braxgata and earn their ticket to the EHL FINALS next Easter.

They were calm and composed throughout the contest, their tight defensive formation allowing the Belgian side few openings and then they countered directly at speed.

The Utrecht club went in front from their first corner, Lars Balk slamming home the shot after two waves of attacks had been repelled.

Jens de Vuijst made it two in the 39th minute when he got a lovely touch to Rik Sprengers’ cross from the left after a lightning fast move.

Jip Janssen crashed in their second corner with a direct drag from the top and then Bram van Battum lifted the ball over Pirmin Blaak from close range for 4-0 in the blink of an eye.

That spell effectively killed off the contest and while Brax did win a stroke in Q4, that went incomplete, summing up their day. Duco Telgenkamp then added the fifth goal in the last five minutes to add an extra gloss to the scoreboard.

It means Kampong are the seventh side to join next Easter’s FINAL8 line-up with Brax settling for a ninth place ranking.