EuroHockey Club Challenge I Men – May 22nd to 25th 2026 (Predanovci, Slovenia)
Predanovci hosts EuroHockey Club competition for a fifth time having previous welcomed Challenge IV (2012, 2017), Challenge III (2016) and Challenge II (2021).
The host side are in Pool A of this seven-team competition with Ukraine’s HC SHVSM Vinnitsa and Malta’s Qormi. Pool B has Hungary’s Építők, Norway’s Furuset, Denmark’s HC Copenhagen and Croatia’s HAHK Mladost.
For both groups, the target is a top two finish which earns a place in one of Monday’s two promotion playoff finals.
** Click here to see the full schedule while you can also keep up to date with the live scores on the Altius website.
Find out more about the teams here:
Pool A
HC SHVSM Olimpia Vinnitsa (UKR)
The Ukrainian side find themselves in Challenge I after their seventh place finish two years ago in Trophy II after a hugely competitive tournament in which they only lost once.
There is a wide range of experience in the panel with 42-year-old goalkeeper and captain Iaroslav Hordey leading the way. He has been on the international scene for over 18 years.
On the flip side, they will have at least nine players making their European club debut in a much-changed line-up. Indeed, 13 of the 27 players named on their entry form are teenagers so it will be a learning occasion for many.
HK Triglav Predanovci (SLO)
HK Triglav Predanovci are back at Challenge I level having finished in seventh place in 2024 before ending in fifth in Challenge II last year.
Domestically, they have held sway over rivals HK Lipovci this season with Domen Dšuban among the goals with five in his last three outings, giving them a healthy lead in their head-to-head competition.
Their panel has vast experience in their ranks with Nejc Potokar playing 23 Euro club outdoor matches while the likes of Alen Balaž, captain Tomaz Panker, Mitja Dšuban and Zan Zrinksi are not far behind.
Qormi (MLT)
The EuroHockey Small Club of the Year for 2025 comes into the competition following a stellar spell, winning five trophies last year including the EuroHockey Club Challenge III for the third time in four attempts.
They also won their local knock-out cup last week and puts them in upbeat mood for a first attempt at Challenge I – and a first Maltese entry at this level since Rabat Depiro in 2007.
The squad is a well-healed one who have played a lot of European campaigns together with the one addition this term being the arrival of Dutchman Tommy Kok.
Pool B
Építők HC (HUN)
With 30 outdoor national championship titles, Építők HC is one of the most successful clubs in Hungarian history. The team has been a leading force in the domestic game for decades and has continued that tradition in recent years by winning the Hungarian outdoor championship in 2023, 2024 and 2025, including an unbeaten title-winning campaign in 2025.
Several current players have built strong reputations both at home and abroad. Captain Márton Wesselényi has led the team through some of its most important recent international appearances, including the EuroHockey Club events in Kirklareli (2023) and Ferrara (2024).
Club legend Tamás Löschnig remains a symbol of commitment and longevity with an extraordinary number of matches played for Építők over the years. Norbert Kovács is also returning from retirement to strengthen the squad for this event.
At the same time, the team continues to benefit from exciting young talent. Zsigmond Szóga despite his young age, has already established himself as one of the most dangerous scorers in Hungarian hockey and has collected multiple scoring titles. Johannes Stabreit, who is currently studying in Budapest, adds another exciting dimension to the team. He is especially dangerous in one-on-one situations, where his speed and excellent dribbling make him very difficult to stop.
On the sideline, Építők HC is guided by Dariusz “Darek” Markiewicz, whose work has been essential to the team’s recent success. Under his leadership, the club has continued to compete at the highest level while staying true to the winning culture and proud tradition of Építők HC.
They are currently leading the national league but expect another very close final against Soroksári HC. The 2025/26 outdoor season is still ongoing, and after several tight battles in recent years, it looks set to be theie toughest challenge yet in defending the Hungarian title.
HAHK Mladost (CRO)
HAHK Mladost is the 16 times outdoor national champion in Croatia, including 11 in-a-row from 2004 to 2015. Key players are Vitalii Kalinchuk (Ukraine national player), Josip Jazbec (Craotia) and Fran Gjurinski (Croatia) with international and European experience.
They helped claim third place at the EuroHockey Indoor Club Cup Men 2024 with Mladost. Fran and Josip also played Indoor World Cup 2025 in Poreč for the Croatian national team while there are six Under-21 Croatian national team talents in the squad.
Captain Kalinchuk says of the event: “Our goal as a team is to build chemistry and develop our play for the upcoming national league playoffs. We have a new, young squad (a generational transition), and we’re very excited to compete together in a European competition.
“Our aim is to win every match and move up to a higher division. As a club and as a team, we have a bright future ahead, and we can’t wait to step onto the field, may the better team win!”
Furuset LHK (NOR)
Furuset Landhockeyklubb is proud to be representing Norwegian field hockey for a fourth year in a row at the European level. And again, the squad is excited to give it their all on the pitch.
The team will be leaning on the experience of a group of players that are nearing the 20 odd games in European competitions, such as the experienced family of Khidash Kiyani, Waqqas Riaz, Fahad Kayani and Atif Kiyani.
At the back, the group will be relying on the directions and guidance of Robin Wood, who together with seven other Furuset players, is competing for a spot in the Norwegian national outdoor team. Having a large group of players in this pathway, has contributed to the intensity in training and preparation for the squad.
Like every year, an exciting group of newcomers and youth make their mark. Homegrown talent Isa Sajid will step on the European stage for the first time, after two successful seasons in the Norwegian league. This will be a moment of huge significance for the club as he will take to this stage as his father is also on the pitch in goal – a remarkable family memory.
Furthermore, newcomers include Diemar Tonningen, Nicholas Johnsen, Jackson Thomas and ex-Trinidad & Tobago international Jarell Thompson.
Captain Sebastian Vonen Skaugvoll mentions ahead of the tour: “This is likely the highest level a Norwegian club has ever competed at. It will be a battle against relegation for us, but we are fully ready to embrace that challenge. We look forward to showing our best side on the pitch, and enjoy a week in Slovenia with the team”.
Copenhagen HC (DEN)
Copenhagen are back in Challenge I for the first time since 2022 when they took a bronze medal on home turf; since then, they played at Trophy II level in both 2023 and 2024 and are back in Europe after a year’s absence outdoors.
Like most years, their side is a mix of homegrown talent and arrivals from abroad with their panel populated by players from the Netherlands, England, Scotland, Spain, Germany and Belgium.
Daniel Portugal is one to watch in front of goal while Ramsus Mundeling captains the side once again.
