Last ‘home’ fixture in the European League is on Jan 19th. HBU face the mighty FC PORTO.
Their team list features the world ’s No 1 goalkeeper, Edo Bosch, and top class players Reinaldo VENTURA and Filipe SANTOS(capt), Ricardo Oliveira’CAIO’, Ricardo FIGUEIRO, Pedro MOREIRA, Andre AZEVEDO, Jorge SILVA, Emanuel GARCIA, and 2nd ‘keeper Nelson FILIPE.
A team of this quality is never going to be in the UK except for such a competition as this Euro League so every player and ex-player, who wants to see the best hockey players in action should make sure they do not miss this opportunity. It may never happen again!
The full programme for the evening can be seen on www.hernebayunited.com so check it regularly for any updates.
At each of these 3 ‘home’ games there has been a Raffle. At the 1st match it was 2 sets of HBU team strip, at the last game it was Mirko Bertolucci’s shirt and this time it is a FC Porto shirt (current model) and the winner will be presented with it by one of the FCP team just before the 2nd half begins.
The Prato Team and now FC Porto generously donated these items as a contribution to the enormous costs the HBU Team have had to find to compete in the competition. Tickets for the Raffle are £1 and to attend the game, if you didn’t take advantage of the 3 match discount, is £4 and £2.50. There will be a Bar in the Cafe area too, so please support that and do not ‘bring your own’.
The HBU team know what they are going to be facing because they met them in the 1st game of the competition and lost by 20 -1. Encouraged by the results of the next 2 games, Vic losing 0 – 14 and their much closer result v Prato 2 – 3, will be determined to do much better in this return match.
Next month the HBU team go to Spain for the 2nd Vic match with the final chance to make their mark in Italy v Prato in March. After everyone has played their 6 matches only the team at the top of each Pool goes forward to the Final Four Tournament which will be held on 10/11 May.
We would love to host that event but the costs are unbelievable and a stadium of 1000+ is required!
This Jan 19th match will show what the sport of Roller Hockey is – a fast, skilful, exciting game which is hugely entertaining and at times thrilling. With a sellout crowd the Pavilion has a great atmosphere – come and be part of it! Bring your horns, hooters, drums etc and make it even better. Marvel at the individual talents on show and appreciate the best you will ever see in England.
Aileen Barker
