Eight teams will be taking part in the Cup Winners Cup challenge, under the auspices of the Euroepan Hockey Federation, which commences today at the Kordin complex.

They are divided into two pools, as follows:

POOL A: Cardiff University (Wales), Rosco Budapest HC (Hungary), HK Zelina (Croatia) and RCOR-MIF Minsk (Belarus).

POOL B: Eagles HC (Gibraltar), Slagelse HK (Denmark), Seinajoki United (Finland) and BDO Hotsticks (Malta).

Addressing a news conference yesterday, Steve Cachia, representing the organisers, said that between today and Saturday, the qualifying group matches will be played with four matches on each day. On Sunday there will be the matches for the final placings with the top two being promoted to Division B and the bottom placed two clubs being relegated to Division D.

Also this week, the European Hockey Federation is organising two other tournaments – Group A in Madrid and Group B in Prague.

It is the first time that a Maltese team is taking part in this annual event. In previous tournament involving foreign teams, Rabat Depiro had taken part in the Champions tournament, while the other event, two years ago, was for national teams.

Also addressing yesterday’s conference was Minister for Tourism, Dr Francis Zammit Dimech who said that he was glad that hockey was also attracting a good number of foreigners to practice the sport here in Malta, also thanks to the good climatic conditions obtainable here. He added that over 80,000 tourists are being attracted to Malta every year thanks to sports events organized here with the main emphasis, however, being on diving.

Mr Buttigieg, on behalf of BDO, who are the sponsors of Sliema Hotsticks and also of international hockey, said that the company was glad to be sponsoring the event. He also augured that Sliema will continue to be sponsored in future and hoped they would also win the league as well.

Other sponsors for the tournament are HSBC Bank, globalair Travel & Tourism, Malta Tourism Authority, Powerade, Zeppi’s and QUBE.

Today’s programme

11.45am HK Zelina-RCOR-MIF Minsk; 2pm Eagles HC-BDO Hotsticks; 4.15pm Slagelse HC-Seinajoki Utd; 6.30pm Cardiff Univ.-Rosco Budapest.

Tomorrow’s programme

9.30am HK Zelina-Rosco Budapest 11.45am Cardiff University-RCOR-MIF Minsk; 2pm Slagelse HC-BDO Hotsticks; 4.15pm Eagles HC-Seinajoki Utd