Top two hockey teams fight for ultimate championship trophy
Bhubaneswar: Hockey fever has gripped the Temple City as the Kalinga Hockey Stadium prepares to host the ultimate showdown tonight. Home favorites Vedanta Kalinga Lancers are ready to face the formidable Ranchi Royals in the Hero HIL 2025-26 Final. With the trophy on the line, fans can expect an electric atmosphere when the match begins at 7:30 PM IST.
Lancers rely on defense and home support
Local heroes, the Vedanta Kalinga Lancers, have dominated the tournament so far. They finished at the very top of the league table and marched directly into the finals by defeating Ranchi in the first qualifier. Their success is built on a rock-solid defense that surrendered only eight goals during the entire league phase.
Belgian powerhouse Alexander Hendrickx is their key weapon, boasting ten goals scored exclusively from penalty corners. The team also converts nearly 30% of their set-piece chances. Captain Arthur Van Doren believes the home crowd in Bhubaneswar will provide the extra motivation needed to secure the championship after such a consistent season.
Royals bring firepower and resilience
Standing in their way is the league's most aggressive attacking unit. The Ranchi Royals showed immense character to bounce back from a loss in Qualifier 1. They defeated the Hyderabad Toofans 3-2 in a nail-biting second qualifier to book their spot in the summit clash.
Their hopes rest heavily on Captain Tom Boon, the tournament's highest scorer with a massive 18 goals. Boon, who recently celebrated his birthday with a stunning hat-trick, is eager to lead his team to victory. The Royals are known for their ability to score quickly and turn matches around in minutes.
A Battle of Best vs Best
History currently favors the home team. In two previous meetings this season, the Lancers defeated the Royals both times. However, finals are often unpredictable. Tonight’s game is a classic battle of the league's best defense against its best attack, promising a thrilling conclusion to the hockey season for fans in Odisha and across the world.
