For Jan-Philipp Fischer, the upcoming EuroHockey Indoor Championship is more than just a tournament; it’s a special kind of homecoming.
The 34-year-old Mannheimer HC player will play in the German national indoor team for the first time and the stage could n0t be more perfect: the city where Fischer was born and raised.
“When Matthias Witthaus told me I was on the team, I was absolutely thrilled,” Fischer recalls. “The fact that the European Championships are being held in Heidelberg, my hometown, makes it even more special.”
Fischer’s hockey journey began at HC Heidelberg before he moved to Mannheimer HC aged 12, drawn by the chance to develop his skills and compete for national titles.
The move meant years of commuting for his family, but it paid off. Today, Fischer is a key figure in the Bundesliga and now steps onto the international stage in front of a sold-out home crowd.
“Heidelberg is home,” he says simply. “I grew up here, my family lives here, and so many places in this city have been part of my life, from the walk to school to the courtyard where my siblings and I spent hours shooting at an ice hockey goal with ‘toasted’ sticks. That’s precisely why experiencing such a big event here is so special for me”.
While Heidelberg is renowned for its history and culture, major sporting events are rare. That makes this championship a landmark occasion for the city and the region, which boasts a proud indoor hockey tradition through clubs like TG Frankenthal, Bad Dürkheim, HC Heidelberg, and Mannheim.
Fischer admits the prospect of playing in Heidelberg added extra motivation this season.
“Of course, that played a role in the back of my mind, but I always want to win and get the best possible result for my club. When I realised during the year that there was a chance of being nominated, I stepped it up a notch here and there.
“The criteria for nomination included proving myself in the Bundesliga, and that was only a short window of opportunity. Nevertheless, I focused on winning every game and not doing anything crazy.
“I’m very level-headed about it; I know what I’m capable of and what the team needs. That’s worked out well so far.”
His connection to the national setup runs deep. Fischer played alongside Matthias Witthaus at MHC, one half of the coaching duo leading Germany with Jan-Philipp Rabente. “They have a clear vision and demand the best from us,” Fischer explains. “From the first training camp, the intensity was high.”
The squad, he says, has gelled quickly. “We know each other from the Bundesliga, and newcomers like me were welcomed warmly. We’ve developed well as a team, and I think we have a great mix of experience and fresh energy.”
Germany enters the tournament as favourites having won both the World and European indoor titles in recent years. But Fischer expects fierce competition. “Austria, Switzerland, and Poland all have players in the Bundesliga now. Every game will be a battle.”
For Fischer, though, the biggest battle might be off the pitch—securing enough tickets for family and friends. “A lot,” he laughs when asked how many he’s reserved. “My family will definitely be there. I’ll probably need to find more for colleagues!”
Tickets for the group match days on Thursday, January 8th, and Friday, January 9th, are available at https://www.schauinsland-eurohockey2026.com/tickets.
Every match from the men’s EuroHockey Indoor Championship will be streamed live on www.eurohockeytv.org with an event pass for €11.99.
