This Friday, the Euro Hockey League blasts back into action with KO16 Rotterdam, the unique knock-out event that sees sixteen of Europe’s finest club teams reduced to the four semi finalists over four days of intense hockey action. The EHL has gained a reputation as the most exciting and talked about club competition in the world thanks to spectacular performances from some of the finest and most recognisable players in the global game, including WorldHockey Player of the Year winners Jamie Dwyer (HC Bloemendaal - NED), Teun de Nooijer (HC Bloemendaal – NED) and Pol Amat (Club Egara – ESP).
This season’s tournament has witnessed an influx of even more world class talent, thanks mainly to the arrival of EHL debutantes Rot-Weiss Köln, a team of great quality and big ambition. The side contains no less than eight players who were part of Germany’s Olympic Gold Medal-winning squad from Beijing 2008, with iconic figures such as Timo and Benjamin Wess, Tibor Weissenborn, Tobias Hauke, Jan-Marco Montag, and goalkeeper Max Weinhold all representing the current club champions of Germany. However, it is the presence of brilliant brothers Philipp and Christopher Zeller that has really got everyone talking.
Arguably the most famous siblings in hockey, the Zeller brothers have done it all. At international level, they were key members of the Germany team that claimed the 2006 World Cup in Mönchengladbach. Philipp played a pivotal defensive role in that tournament, while younger brother Christopher made headlines with a series of sensational performances which included scoring twice against Australia in the final to seal a glorious victory.
The brothers also left their mark on the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games. Philipp scored a crucial equalizer in the semi final victory over The Netherlands, while Christopher again showed his big game qualities when he netted the Gold Medal-winning goal in the final against Spain.
This year, the Zellers have taken a break from international hockey to focus on their studies, but this did not stop them from setting the Euro Hockey League alight with Rot-Weiss Köln at Round 1.2 St Germain. Philipp’s defence conceded just three goals in two matches, while Christopher demonstrated why he is considered by many to be the most complete striker in world hockey by netting ten of his team’s 14 goals against HC Bra (ITA) and Pol Amat’s Club Egara.
In an interview with www.ehlhockey.tv, Philipp & Christopher discuss the Euro Hockey League and also their hopes of a return to action with Germany.
Euro Hockey League: Philipp & Christopher, thank you for talking to us! Everyone is looking forward to seeing you both in action at KO16 Rotterdam. Will you both be playing and are you looking forward to the event?
Christopher Zeller: “Yes, we are definitely going to be there and we are of course looking forward to it. The EHL is one of the major tournaments in club hockey and it is a lot of fun competing with other great European club teams.”
EHL: You were both in excellent form for Rot-Weiss Köln during Round 1. Did you enjoy your experience in Paris for Round 1.2?
Philipp Zeller: “St. Germain were great hosts. They really made Round 1.2 a very special event. It was our team’s first taste of the EHL and I think we made the best out of it by qualifying for Rotterdam.”
EHL: Your team will play Pembroke Wanderers of Ireland in the 2nd round, with victory setting up a clash with either RC de Polo de Barcelona (ESP) or Reading HC (ENG). What are your thoughts about these opponents?
Philipp: “The Wanderers are surely a big challenge for us, because we have never played against them before and don't know too much about their style of play. However, they did a good job in the first Rounds so we know that we have to bring our A-Game to win against them.”
Christopher: “I agree. The Wanderers are the team that matters in the first place. Whether we play Polo or Reading in the next round is not in our heads at the moment.”
EHL: Both of you missed the recent World Cup due to study reasons. Was it difficult for you to watch Germany playing in such a big tournament, and were you pleased with their excellent performances with such a young team?
Philipp: “It was a delight to watch them play. They performed fantastically during the tournament. Losing the final is always sad, but I'm proud and I think the team can be really proud of themselves as well.”
Christopher: “That's right. It is good to see that the young players are doing such a great job already. With a young team like this, Germany stays a team you always have to deal with in the future.”
EHL: Do you have any plans to rejoin the national set-up once you have both finished studying?
Christopher: “We are planning on coming back as soon as possible. Actually, we want to be at the Champions Trophy in August.”
EHL: Finally, you have both had an incredible amount of success as players. Although there is still a long way to go in this year’s tournament, what would it mean to yourselves and Rot-Weiss Köln to win the Euro Hockey League?
Christopher: “Becoming number one in European club hockey is a great goal to achieve for Rot-Weiss Köln and for every player. It would definitely be the highlight of our season.”
Philipp: “The national competition is our daily business and really important for us, but the EHL is the frosting on the cake. You surely need to win it once in your life.”
Rot-Weiss Köln are aiming to add the EHL title to the European Indoor Club Champions Cup that they won in February. With these two fantastic players amongst their ranks they have every chance of making that dream come true.
This year’s KO16 event takes place over Easter between Friday 2nd and Monday 5th April, hosted by two-times semi finalists H.C. Rotterdam. The Euro Hockey League website will be broadcasting every single match from KO16 Rotterdam free of charge via its live streaming service, ensuring that this outstanding event will be seen by as many people as possible.
The extensive coverage of tournament does not stop there, with match highlight videos action photos, written match reports, official match sheets and live scoreboard all being available to site visitors and global press. For more information about the tournament, please visit www.ehlhockey.tv – the official website of the Euro Hockey League.
