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News / Zeller brothers target Euro Hockey League success
Posted
01.04.2010 at 03:08
This Friday, the Euro Hockey League blasts back into action with KO16 Rotterdam, the unique knock-out event that sees sixteen of Europe’s finest club teams reduced to the four semi finalists over four days of intense hockey action. The EHL has gained a reputation as the most exciting and talked about club competition in the world thanks to spectacular performances from some of the finest and most recognisable players in the global game, including WorldHockey Player of the Year winners Jamie Dwyer (HC Bloemendaal - NED), Teun de Nooijer (HC Bloemendaal – NED) and Pol Amat (Club Egara – ESP).
This season’s tournament has witnessed an influx of even more world class talent, thanks mainly to the arrival of EHL debutantes Rot-Weiss Köln, a team of great quality and big ambition. The side contains no less than eight players who were part of Germany’s Olympic Gold Medal-winning squad from Beijing 2008, with iconic figures such as Timo and Benjamin Wess, Tibor Weissenborn, Tobias Hauke, Jan-Marco Montag, and goalkeeper Max Weinhold all representing the current club champions of Germany. However, it is the presence of brilliant brothers Philipp and Christopher Zeller that has really got everyone talking.
Arguably the most famous siblings in hockey, the Zeller brothers have done it all. At international level, they were key members of the Germany team that claimed the 2006 World Cup in Mönchengladbach. Philipp played a pivotal defensive role in that tournament, while younger brother Christopher made headlines with a series of sensational performances which included scoring twice against Australia in the final to seal a glorious victory.
The brothers also left their mark on the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games. Philipp scored a crucial equalizer in the semi final victory over The Netherlands, while Christopher again showed his big game qualities when he netted the Gold Medal-winning goal in the final against Spain.
This year, the Zellers have taken a break from international hockey to focus on their studies, but this did not stop them from setting the Euro Hockey League alight with Rot-Weiss Köln at Round 1.2 St Germain. Philipp’s defence conceded just three goals in two matches, while Christopher demonstrated why he is considered by many to be the most complete striker in world hockey by netting ten of his team’s 14 goals against HC Bra (ITA) and Pol Amat’s Club Egara.
http://www.fihockey.org/vsite/vcontent/content/transnews/0,10869,1181-144740-19728-15688-306279-15058-5039-layout169-161956-news-item,00.html
