Mannheimer HC completed their pre-EHL build-up with a comprehensive 5-1 win over Berliner HC with Gonzalo Peillat to put them in upbeat form for the challenge ahead.
It came a day after a 6-1 dismissal of SC Frankfurt and a Thursday night 3-2 away win over TSV Mannheim and was their fourth win in succession.
It helped them to sit top of Pool B of the HockeyLiga with Peillat topping the scoring charts with 12 goals in seven games.
As such, it represents a strong start for Andreu Enrich – in his fourth season as head coach – and his side. It has been bolstered this season by Spanish brothers Adrian and Andrea Rafi from FC Barcelona while Lenn Hoffmann has been promoted from the club’s youth section.
On the flip side, Lukas Stumpf moved just down the road to TSV Mannheim while Guido Barreiros is back in Argentina after a memorable spell with the club.
In addition to Peillat, their key men are Teo Hinrichs – player of the tournament at the EuroHockey Championship – and forward Justus Weigand.
They are looking to get back to business in full effect having played in the Ranking Cup in Dragons in October 2020 and then in Egara at Easter 2022 where they finished runners-up.
Their best previous run was in 2019 when they took bronze in Eindhoven. Their game in the KO16 will be a first meeting with English side Old Georgians.
