Match results
01 | 3 Oct 12:45 | Lille MHC LIL | 1* - 1 | Grasshopper Club Zürich GRA | Recap | ||
06 | 4 Oct 14:30 | Lille MHC LIL | 0 - 4 | Royal Leopold Club LEO | Recap |
* Won by shoot-out
About Lille MHC
French champions Lille are playing in their fifth EHL season, looking to get the best of Swiss opposition once more having defeated Rotweiss Wettingen in a shoot-out in a 2022 ranking match.
This time, they meet Grasshopper Club with a number of changes from the side that succeeded in the spring.
The new players coming in are Jose Lafuente, Oscar Delacroix, Lucas Sellier (all from Wattignies), Igor Lockwood (from Douai) and Raimundo Valenzuela (from Almere).
On the flip side, Jules Bournac is now studying in England), Lautaro Castano has gone to Paris Jean Bouin, Arthur Golliot to Iris Lambersart) and former coach Carlos Castano has taken up a role with Klein Zwitserland.
In addition, one of French hockey’s big talents – Gaspard Denis – is carrying an injury while Olympic goalkeeper Arthur Thieffry is taking a step back for family reasons.
Crucial players are Viktor Lockwood, Matteo Desgouillons and Brieuc Delamazure who all played in Paris this summer and they are guiding rising stars such as Malo Martinache or Cesar Gellens.
Achille Verhaselt (only 17) is making his first steps in the senior panel while Lafuente is a strong talent between the posts.
Chilean player Raimundo Valenzuela was on the mark for the side in his debut match, linking up this season once again with the club’s new coach Jorge Dabanch whom he has worked with many times on the international stage.
The Spaniard brings a wealth of experience from around the world, notably being the head coach at HGC when they went on to win the EHL in 2011. He has also coached Antwerp in Belgium and UD Taburiente, Racing Santander and Real Club de Polo in Spain.
EHL History
2008/09 – ROUND1
2012/13 – ROUND1
2013/14 – ROUND1
2022/23 – 13th place