Senior squads named for European Championships

Hoci Cymru are delighted to announce Wales’ senior squads for the upcoming Euro Hockey Championship II, from Thursday 27th July until Sunday 3rd August.  

The senior women will play in Gniezno, Poland whilst the men will be based in Lousada, Portugal.  

The women’s travelling side are the same 18 players who achieved a bronze medal at the Nations Cup 2 competition in June, meanwhile Rhodri Furlong marks the sole change in the men’s squad, having missed the Nations Cup competition through injury.  

The top 2 teams at the conclusion of both competition will qualify for the 2027 European Championships in London. Meanwhile the top 4 sides will qualify for the World Cup Qualifiers in the new year.  

Women’s Head Coach Kevin Johnson commented:  

“We feel we are well positioned ahead of the European campaign to take forward the momentum and learning from the recent Nations Cup and this is reflected in the consistency of the selection.” 

Men’s Head Coach Danny Newcombe added:

“We’re excited to build on the momentum from the Nations Cup and continue pushing our performance level. The European Championship II is a great opportunity to show how far we’ve come, and how far we’re ready to go. With just one change to the squad, we’re in a great place in terms of cohesion and continuity. The group has completed two outstanding training camps and is ready for the challenge ahead. It’s a tough tournament, and we know we’ll need to be at our very best if we’re to be successful.” 

In the group stages Wales’s women will face:  

Switzerland at 13:30 on the 27^th July  

Czech Republic at 15:15 on the 28^th July  

Lithuania at 11:15 on the 30^th July  

In the group stages Wales’s men will face:  

Switzerland at 11:15 on the 27^th July 

Scotland at 17:30 on the 28^th July  

Croatia at 11:15 on the 30^th July