Royal Léopold’s Gauthier Boccard has announced his retirement from the Belgian international team following an incredible career, encompassing Olympic, World Cup and European gold.

Posting about his decision to step back from the Red Lions, he said: “After so many years filled with emotion, it’s time for me to say goodbye to the national team. This hasn’t been an easy decision, but it came naturally, from the heart.“I’ve experienced incredible moments — unforgettable victories, defeats that help you grow, laughter, tears… and above all, strong bonds that will stay with me for life.“Today, I feel that I can no longer give 100%, as I always wanted to. And I had always promised myself I would step away the moment I felt that.“A huge thank you to everyone who supported me through this crazy and beautiful journey: my family, my friends, the staff, the federation, my teammates… You played a bigger role than you may realize.“I wish you all the very best moving forward. As for me, with my family, we’ll remain your biggest supporters!”

Gantoise’s men confirmed they will return to the EHL next season as they got the result they needed to top the Belgian league table.

Going into the final series, there was a mathematical chance they could be overhauled by Royal Léopold but they stormed to a 5-2 win over Herakles to seal the deal.

They did trail to an early Amaury Keusters goal butdouble from Romain Duvekot and Alexander Hendrickx saw them turn things around to lead 4-1 with five minutes to go.

A late exchange of goals – with Duvekot completing his hat trick – put them out of sight.

Léo, meanwhile, were not able to fulfil their half of the bargain as they fell to a 4-3 home loss to Orée, a result which saw them end six points back in the final standings.

Gantoise will next face Waterloo Ducks in the playoff semi-finals after they eased to a 10-1 win against Namur.

Braxgata, meanwhile, will play Léo in the playoff semi-finals after the former beat Racing Club de Bruxelles 3-2 to end in third place.

Den Bosch convincingly won the Brabant derby against Tilburg 5-1 to top the women’s Hoofdklasse table, ensuring they will return to the EHL next season into the bargain.

Needing a win to confirm the title, it was 2-0 by the third minute thanks to goals from Sanne Koolen from a penalty corner and Charlotte Englebert.

They extended their lead through Joosje Burg and a penalty stroke by Danique van der Veerdonk, after which Englebert scored her second goal before half-time for 5-0.

Tilburg rallied in the second half to slow down the goal-rush but Den Bosch were not to be stopped en route to their 19th time topping the regular season table.

Despite her absence due to injury, Frédéqiue Matla crowned herself top scorer of the Tulp Hoofdklasse for the fifth time with 22 goals, one goal more than Yibbi Jansen of SCHC.

SCHC ended in second spot with a 2-1 win over HDM and will play Pinoké in the playoff semi-finals which start next weekend.

Den Bosch face AH&BC Amsterdam who had to fight back from 2-1 down in the last 10 minutes to defeat relegated side Huizen 3-2.

Hans-Erik Tuijt was presented with a EuroHockey President’s Award during the EHL FINALS in recognition of his time as chairman of the Euro Hockey League board.

Tuijt held the role from 2015 up until Peter Elders took on the role last year, playing his part in the growth of the EHL, introducing EHL Women in 2021 along with the addition of the ABN AMRO EHL U14 and Hockey ID competitions.

Speaking at the event, EuroHockey President Marcos Hofmann praised Tuijt’s influence on the world’s best club competition, saying: “On behalf of EuroHockey, I thank Hans-Erik for the huge value he has given to the EHL over a long number of years, keeping the competition as one of the must-see events for hockey fans around the world.”

** Hans Erik is pictured, left, with EuroHockey President Marcos Hofmann and EuroHockey Honourary Life President Marijke Fleuren; picture by Frank Uijlenbroek/World Sport Pics

CAM92 are two games away from an unbeaten regular season in the French men’s league, securing top spot and an EHL ticket a number of games to play.

They are currently 12 points clear of Saint Germain after 16 rounds with home games against bottom-ranked Paris Jean-Bouin on Sunday and third last Nantes remaining on their agenda a week later.

It follows a triumphant return to the panel for Timothée Clément who has netted 13 times while fellow internationals Corentian Sellier (15) and Antonin Igau (14) have also been among the goals.

Saint Ger are also confirmed to be in the end of season playoffs with the remaining two spots to be fought out between Lille, Polo Marcq-en-Barouel and Racing Club de France who are all covered by three points.

All will be hoping to keep alive their hopes of landing an EHL spot with France’s quota set to rise to two KO16 spots following Montrouge’s EuroHockey Club Trophy I success in Lisburn.

Bloemendaal have secured their place in next season’s EHL after they won the 95th edition of the “klassieker” against AH&BC Amsterdam 2-1.

Bloemendaal laid the foundation for the victory in the first quarter. Jasper Brinkman opened the score from a penalty corner in the third minute and not much later Jorrit Croon also doubled the lead from a penalty corner.

In the last quarter, Amsterdam came back into the game thanks to a converted penalty by Boris Burkhardt. With his 27th goal of the season, he brought back the tension, but the Amsterdammers were unable to equalise.

 With the victory, Bloemendaal has secured first place in the regular Hoofdklasse competition, a position that entitles it to participate in the EHL.

The other two Dutch spots will be determined in the playoffs which will be contested by Bloemendaal, Amsterdam, Den Bosch and SV Kampong.