With the top five nations on the current FIH World Rankings, the men’s EuroHockey Championships promises to be one of the tightest tournaments in the competition’s rich history.

It kicks off on Friday evening with 2023 finalists England meeting Poland at 17.00 (CET), who defied the odds to win the qualifiers last summer in Dublin where they defeated three higher ranked sides.

They are followed on at 19.30 CET in Pool B by hosts Germany – the Olympic silver medalists and eight-time winners – and France who recently defeated the Netherlands in their final warm-up game.

Pool B begins on Saturday when the 2019 champions Belgium take on a new-look Austrian side  at 10.00 CET before the reigning Dutch champions battle with FIH Pro League high-flyers Spain at 12.15 CET.

It kick-starts three rounds of pool matches with each side pushing to earn a top two spot and advance to the semi-finals. Below, you can find out more about each team and their squads.

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Men’s EuroHockey Championship – team-by-team background

Pool A

Austria 

• World ranking: 19 
• EuroHockey Championship appearances: 6 
• Best finish: 7^th (2009, 2017, 2023) 

Team preview: https://eurohockey.org/fresh-faced-austria-looking-to-fill-boots-of-golden-generation  

Belgium  

• World ranking: 3 
• EuroHockey Championship appearances: 18 
• Best finish: Winners (2019)  

Team preview:  https://eurohockey.org/new-look-red-lions-first-to-name-eurohockey-championship-squad

Netherlands  

• World ranking: 1 
• EuroHockey Championship appearances: 19 
• Best finish: Winners – 7 times (1983, 1987, 2007, 2015, 2017, 2021, 2023)  

Team preview: https://eurohockey.org/delmee-draws-on-huge-olympic-experience-for-dutch-mens-panel

Spain  

• World ranking: 4 
• EuroHockey Championship appearances: 19  
• Best finish: Winners – 2 times (1974, 2005)  

Team preview: https://eurohockey.org/spanish-men-looking-to-continue-big-rise-on-euro-stage

Pool B

England  

• World ranking: 5 
• EuroHockey Championship appearances: 19 
• Best finish: Winners (2009)  

Team preview: https://eurohockey.org/ward-nurse-and-williamson-to-captain-english-mens-medal-pursuit

France  

• World ranking:  10 
• EuroHockey Championship appearances: 16 
• Best finish: 4^th (1970) 

Team preview: https://eurohockey.org/france-head-to-euros-on-a-high-after-win-over-netherlands

Germany  

• World ranking: 2 
• EuroHockey Championship appearances: 19 
• Best finish: Winners – 8 times (1970, 1978, 1991, 1995, 1999, 2003, 2011, 2013)  

Team preview: https://eurohockey.org/honamas-team-named-for-home-eurohockey-championship

Poland 

• World ranking: 25 
• EuroHockey Championship appearances: 13 
• Best finish: 5^th – 3 times (1974, 1978, 1987) 

Team preview: https://eurohockey.org/poland-looking-to-continue-to-upset-the-odds-after-remarkable-qualification