The hockey players of the Stichtsche Cricket and Hockey Club (SCHC) won their first Euro Hockey League (EHL) on Monday. In the final, SCHC was too strong 1-0 for the home favorite and compatriot Den Bosch, which won the most important European club tournament last year.
In an exciting final, which produced few chances, it came down to penalty corners. The only goal came in the 45th minute. Specialist Yibbi Jansen hit hard from a penalty corner. Frédérique Matla from Den Bosch, who had scored eight times in the previous two matches, was close to the equalizer just before the end. Her attempt, also from a penalty corner, was stopped by goalkeeper Marsha Zwezereijn.
Yibbi Jansen (R) from SCHC celebrates her goal.
Photo KOEN VAN WEEL / ANP
For the club from Bilthoven it is the first European top prize in more than ten years. In 2015, the club already won the Euro Hockey Club Champions League, the predecessor of the EHL. Since the first edition of the EHL in 2021, the prize has gone alternately to Den Bosch and Amsterdam. Two years ago, SCHC finished third by winning the consolation final against the Spanish Club Junior.
As a three-time EHL winner, reigning national champion Den Bosch was the favorite for the title in advance. The club had a very convincing start with a 6-0 victory over the Scottish Watsonians and a 5-1 win over the Spanish Club Campo de Madrid.
The EHL has been a ‘Final Twelve’ tournament since 2025. The champions of the four highest ranked countries qualify directly for the quarter-finals. Eight teams first play a preliminary round. SCHC had to qualify through the eighth finals as number two in the Netherlands. It did so by beating Spanish Club Egara 6-1. This was followed by convincing victories over Braxgata (4-0) and Mannheimer SC (3-0).
