It’s that time again. Europe's elite are ready to battle it out, and at the heart of it all are the Grays Hockey athletes looking to make their mark.
The SparkassenPark stage is set for another of the biggest showdowns in the international hockey calendar, the 2025 EuroHockey Championships, which again takes place in Mönchengladbach, Germany from 8th – 17th August. The biennial tournament brings together Europe’s top national teams, where they contest for the continental title. The nation that ‘Brings It Home’ will need to successfully navigate through their pool groups before entering the semis and the ultimate title-deciding final. As always, from the first whistle on the opening day, to the last supporter to leave their seat after the celebrations, we can expect to see the highest level of skill, intensity and drama – we just cannot wait!
Grays Hockey, Led By Europe's Best
Strong representation at prestigious hockey tournaments has been paramount over the decades for Grays Hockey, and our current generation of players are living up to that expectation. Grays Hockey will have over 20 elite athletes competing in the men’s and women’s tournaments, all will be equipped with the brand new 2025/26 Grays Hockey Stick Range, along with our latest Grays hockey shoes, gloves and shinpads – all giving them the edge in both performance and confidence.
The 2023 edition of the Euros tournament saw thrilling finales on both sides of the draw, in which we saw the Dutch men and women secure the title – with Grays athletes playing a key role in their side’s journey to gold. This year, both squads will be eager to defend their crown, with their eyes firmly on the podium after an eye-catching double title for the nation at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games – can anyone stop them?
“We are all really looking forward to the start of the tournament, playing in a big stadium in front of a full crowd and our families. As a squad we are always looking for the 1% gains, training recently has been heavily focused on making sure everyone is nailing the different details in each aspect of the game. We are ready to defend our title.” - Olivier Hortensius, Netherlands.
Player Watch: Grays Hockey Athletes To Look Out For
The 2025 European Championship edition is nothing short of talent. We have familiar faces gearing up to do it all again, and we have debutants looking to make their mark - but a few names stand out..
Hannah McLoughlin – Ireland
A dynamic midfielder known for her intensity, control and leadership. Hannah has strategically levelled her game up by moving to Belgian giants Gantoise HC, gaining a richer understanding of elite European hockey over the last season. We can expect her to command the midfield and drive Ireland’s efforts - “As usual we always travel in numbers so our sea of green will definitely be making themselves known!!! I think fans can expect a fast paced game with a lot of goals hopefully. I plan to add to our distribution at the back and also defend really well against the quality we are going to face.”
Olivier Hortensius – Netherlands
The lightning-quick HC Rotterdam forward is on cloud nine after being called up just a month after earning his first senior international cap. We’re in for a load of flair, skill, and an eye for goal. Olivier is a real handful for any defender to face.
Zach Wallace – England
A consistent standout on the international stage, the FIH International Player of the Year nominee continues to impress for HC Bloemendaal in the Hoofdklasse. His blend of vision, technical ability and relentless work rate makes him a key player in England’s push for gold, after helping them to silver two years ago.
Fay van der Elst – Netherlands
The rising star from AH&BC Amsterdam has been on a scoring spree since making her international debut. With her energy, creativity and clinical finishing, Fay is a serious threat in the circle and one to watch as the tournament unfolds.
Lily Walker – England
The versatile East Grinstead HC player has been on a steep rise to the top in recent years, and it’s not gone unnoticed as Lily has been given the armband to captain her nation at the tournament. Bringing a relentless work ethic, vision and tactical awareness - “Since Euros 2023, I feel like I have grown a lot as a player. I’ve been able to gain more experience at both international and club level which has allowed me to play around with how I’m trying to play the game, and cement my hockey style a bit more.”
The Choice Of Champions
With a wide range of elite-level products Grays Hockey has to offer, we often get asked what our international athletes trust on the biggest of stages. This year’s Euros sees our JB, DB, PB, AC & DB+ sticks all used, as well as our ever-popular AeroCage X and Raid 2.0 shoes. To complete the outfit, our athletes tend to opt for the International Pro or Touch Pro glove, with the G900 and G600 shinguards are popular choice.
Watch England via Channel 4 YouTube
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