The group line-ups for EuroChamps27 have been confirmed following the conclusion of the FIH World Cup in Amstelveen and Wavre and confirmation of the latest world rankings.
Germany’s men will head up Pool A next year in London where they will meet Spain in a repeat of the World Cup final with hosts England completing the group.
Pool B has Pro League champions Belgium up against the Netherlands and France whose performances in August saw them overtake Ireland into Europe’s top six.
That leap is significant as all of the sides in Pool A and B are guaranteed a place in the quarter-finals.
Ireland, meanwhile, will battle it out in Pool C with Poland and Austria with only the winner of this three-team group advancing to the quarters. The scenario is the same for Pool D’s competitors Scotland, Wales and Italy.
On the women’s side, reigning European champions the Netherlands are grouped in Pool A with world number six Germany and seventh ranked England.
Belgium will be looking to build on their World Cup bronze; their Pool B challenge pits them against Spain and Ireland.
In Pool C, Scotland’s impressive World Cup wins over Ireland and New Zealand were not quite enough to break into the top six in Europe. As such, they will face Wales and Ukraine in the initial phase with a quarter-final spot on the line for the group winner.
France are the highest ranked nation in Pool D where they will play Italy and Austria who are making their first appearance at this level since 1991.
The full match schedule is currently being prepared and will be announced in the coming weeks.
Men (world ranking in brackets)
Pool A: Germany (1), Spain (6), England (7)
Pool B: Belgium (2), Netherlands (5), France (10)
Pool C: Ireland (11), Poland (21), Austria (22)
Pool D: Scotland (14), Wales (18), Italy (26)
Women (world ranking in brackets)
Pool A: Netherlands (1), Germany (6), England (7)
Pool B: Belgium (3), Spain (5), Ireland (13)
Pool C: Scotland (14), Wales (24), Ukraine (28)
Pool D: France (16), Italy (19), Austria (31)
