Even as the world is caught in the frenzy over soccer's showpiece the FIFA World Cup 2010, competitive hockey flickers into focus in the sequestered confines of the Ulhenhoster HC here. Acknowledged as the fulcrum of Germany's hockey ethos, the UHC has an enchanting history and tradition, dating back to 1901. Currently, UHC is the Euro Hockey League champion.
The clash of sticks on Friday afternoon will echo around the stunning UHC as the BDO four-nation tournament gets underway. That the format features three World and Olympic champions is enough to render the tournament considerably significant.
On preparatory mode
While it may be incorrect to talk of India in the same breath as Germany and the Netherlands, whose accomplishments and achievements in recent decades need no repetition here, the fact that all the three sides are in the preparatory mode cannot be ignored. The same is true for the fourth combatant, Japan.
For Germany and Holland, the BDO Masters is a rehearsal for the Champions Trophy at Monchengladbach starting on July 31. For India, this marks the first leg of the European tour, which is part of the exercise of getting ready for the Commonwealth Games and the Asian Games.
Water under the bridge
Interestingly, India comes back to this competition after 2003, when it was led to a trophy triumph by Dhanraj Pillay. Much has happened in the intervening period. To go through them in detail will be voluminous. It will suffice to say that India has slipped further down the ladder. Under the Spanish coach, Jose Brasa, the threads are being picked up to go up in the ratings.
From India's standpoint, this four-nation venture should be examined in the context of the benefits to be reaped. Braving the challenges against teams like Germany and the Netherlands should help sharpen the competitive edge.
The debate over the need for India to field a full-fledged team with all the seniors in the pack is logical. Coach Brasa has reportedly favoured retaining the seniors, but the selectors opted for exposing more juniors to international competition.
Tough task
Captain Rajpal Singh is confronted with the tough task of retaining the team's confidence gained from the showing at the recent Aslan Shah Cup while taking on the Netherlands in the opening match.
In the absence of Shivendra, who is nursing an injury, and Arjun Halappa, surprisingly rested, the team will have to lean heavily on the mid-field work of the wing-backs, Gurbaj Singh and Prabodh Tirkey, along with the striking power of Tushar Khandekar.
The return of Sandeep Singh for penalty corners and Hari Prasad in the frontline will be watched with interest.
Young team
The new Dutch coach, Paul van Ass, has a pool of 40 under his charge. But for this event, van Ass is content to field a young, inexperienced team. The only familiar name in the squad is Rogier Hofmann who played in the recent Hero Honda World Cup. Stalwarts like Teun di Nooijer and Taeke Takema are part of the larger squad, but they are apparently preserved for the Champions Trophy.
The Netherlands has won the trophy twice — in 2005 and 2006, while the Germans, host since 1989, have triumphed 10 times.
The home team looks the strongest with the return of Christopher Zellar, who missed the World Cup in India owing to exams. Seasoned players like Oliver Korn, Christoph Menke, Jan-Marco Monmtag and Maximillan Mueller, symbolise the team's attacking competence.
India has figured four times — 1996, 1997, 1998 and 2003 — finishing last in the first three editions, but on top of the podium in 2003.
This is Japan's first appearance.
Friday's matches: India v Netherlands (8 p.m. IST); Germany v Japan (10 p.m.).
