Marco Miltkau – one of the EHL’s most decorated players – has announced his decision to retire from international hockey after a glittering career with Germany.
The 34-year-old steps back from that stage after European and World Cup gold, Olympic silver and 73 international goals in 160 games.
His last goal for the Honamas was probably one of his most important. In the semi-final of the Olympic Games in Paris, the score between Germany and India was still 2-2 with six minutes to go before he struck a “typical Miltkau goal” according to the German tv commentator.
Miltkau is already a legend, too, on the EHL stage. He sits second on the all-time goalscoring list with 35 goals in 46 games, winning the EHL twice with UHC Hamburg (2010 and 2012 – scoring in both finals) and once with Rot-Weiss Köln. He also took silver in 2009 as an 18-year-old and again in 2019.
“When we talk about special striker qualities in Germany, we always take Marco as a role model,” said German head coach André Henning who also worked with him at Rot-Weiss Köln.
“He is the phantom. You don’t see him but he’s there out of nowhere when we need him, somehow he sticks his stick in and can score goals like few others.
“But at least as important will be his value to us as a team. Marco has a special empathic ability and brought a different perspective. Thanks to him, our team was more diverse and better.
“What is particularly impressive is the fact that he has improved incredibly in the last few years of his career and eliminated supposed weaknesses.
“Great development can also happen at the end of a career, as he has impressively demonstrated.
“Of course I am sad to have to let go of players who I have known for over ten years and have been able to coach many of them. Above all, it was a great pleasure and honour for me.”
His retirement comes just a couple of days after the decision of EHL leading all-time goalscorer Jeroen Hertzberger to retire from international hockey.
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