THE EHL IS COMING UP AGAIN! This is obvious from the fact that I honestly do not know whether I would rather be champion of the Rabo Hockey League, or be able to hoist the magnifi cent EHL cup into the air during Whitsun. If I were forced to make a choice, I must admit that it would probably be winning the European prize, especially since last year Amsterdam H&BC made us the champions of the Netherlands, and up to now we have not had much joy with the EHL, at least as far as prizes go. I have certainly noticed over the years A that the EHL guarantees moments of shining glory. Each and every year it is a great pleasure to travel to another European city for a long weekend (I hope in any case!) with the entire team. The excitement that is entailed in the knockout concept ensures that you have to give all you have got in every game. A less successful day simply means that you pack your bags and leave. This ‘do or die’ spirit is what stimulates and appeals to athletes! These exciting moments are ideal for athletes preparing for the Olympics. Recently, I have frequently been asked whether I can even think about anything else than the Olympic games. I have a simple answer to this question: “Yes, of s far as I am concerned, in a short period of time the EHL has developed into one of the highlights of the hockey season. COLUMN FLORIS EVERS PLAYS FOR AMSTERDAM H&BC AND IS CAPTAIN OF THE DUTCH NATIONAL TEAM. 77 course. The EHL is coming up too.” This event is a special challenge and opportunity for Dutch internationals to prove themselves. What better venue is there to do this than in a full stadium competing against the best players and teams in Europe? Amsterdam H&BC is only three victories away from the fi nals. This may not seem like much, but anyone with EHL experience knows there is a bumpy road The ‘do or die’ spirit of EHL is what stimulates and appeals to athletes! ahead of us. Which team will peak at just the right moment? Will players be able to keep their cool in the face of a shoot-out? Will some goal keepers forget that they need to be a bit more careful about properly tying their kicker laces because there are other rules in place in the EHL? These are all questions that will be answered during Easter weekend. It is going to be exciting, which is exactly why I am absolutely and totally looking forward to it! • 20 07 20 12 FOTO: FRANK UIJLENBROEK Pagina 76

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