Monday, August 27, 2012

Schedule for Men’s Champions Trophy

LAUSANNE, Switzerland – The FIH announced today the match schedule for the Men’s Hockey Champions Trophy 2012 to be played in Melbourne, Australia from December 1-9.
It will be the 34th edition of the event and one that will see the host nation, Australia, look to defend its 2011 Champions Trophy title. 
    It will also be the first time that the cross-over quarterfinal format is used at a men’s Champions Trophy. The format has been used in previous FIH events, but never at the annual top men’s tournament. This is now the FIH’s preferred Competition Format for all of its global eight-team events.
   The teams have been split into two preliminary round groups of four teams each. Group A will feature Germany, England, New Zealand and India while Group B will include host Australia, the Netherlands Belgium and Pakistan.