The 2014 champions Harvestehuder THC return to the KO16 having played excellent hosts to the event a year ago in Hamburg.

They attack the new season under the coaching of Tomasz Laskowski who took over the role from long-time coach Christoph Bechmann while they also have a number of new additions to the line-up.

Matthew Fisher, Coby Green (both from Perth in Australia), Maksymilian Koperski (Großflottbeker THGC), Bent Kranz (returning from studying abroad), Andrew McConnell (Western Wildcats, Scotland), Simon Reich (TG Heimfeld) and Titus Wex (Münchner SC) are all new additions.

On the flip side, Luis Holste (Mannheimer HC) and Niclas Schippan (Real Club de Polo de Barcelona) are among the departures but they will see both in Barcelona.

They reached the FINAL8 last term but endured tough losses against both Dutch clubs Bloemendaal and Pinoké. Nonetheless, the campaign did set the stage to introduce brilliant teeangers Ben Hasbach and Paul Glander to a wider audience.

Otherwise, they have leadership in the form of goal-machine Michael Körper and inspirational Austrian leader for both club and country, Xaver Hasun. Nick Spooner and Nqobile Ntuli are both South African internationals with massive know-how.

Hasun says of his excitement about the week ahead: “The EHL is a highlight for every hockey player and a dream comes true if you can take part in it. You can compete with the best teams in Europe and show what you are able to do. We’re looking forward to showing what we’re made of and will try to win both games in Barcelona.”

Early season wins over Mannheimer HC, Der Club an der Alster, Crefelder HTC, Gladbacher HTC and TSV Mannheim and a bonus point victory against Hamburger Polo Club have them top of their section in the HockeyLiga.