He has already reached the age of 35, but nevertheless the former German international Marco Siltkau (160 international competitions, 73 goals) made a dream transfer this summer: from Centrum-Minder Klein Switzerland to 22-way National Champion Bloemendaal. Push the accelerator pedal again, in the fall of his career, the intention of the cold-blooded Finisher, who wants to know nothing about a pension hockey pension. “To give everything, I moved directly from The Hague to Amsterdam this summer.”
Age is ultimately just a number, they realize all too well in Bloemendaal. In 2018, the Australian field hockey legend Jamie Dwyer, father of 38, made his comeback to his old love at ‘t Kopje. It was a huge success. It seemed as if the years had no grip on the five -time best player in the world, who could even excel in the most important phase of the season. For example, he scored in the semi-final of the play-offs against Amsterdam, as a routine 39-year-old. Dwyer also scored a goal in the EHL final against Kampong. Even with forty in your sights, you can still shine at the highest level.
Nevertheless, it came as a surprise for many that Bloemendaal will open the hunt for national Amsterdam champion next season with a 35-year-old veteran as their attacking leader. Not in the least for himself. “I didn’t see the phone call coming at all, no,” laughs reigning world champion Siltkau. ‘But I was immediately curious about what exactly they had in mind for me. Bloemendaal is such a large club, spoken worldwide, I was immediately interested in that. ‘
Marco Siltkau celebrates a different purpose as a player of Klein Switzerland, as only he can. Photo: Willem Vernes
Winning goal at the Games
Scoring is a second nature for Spleenkau. His last goal for the national team of Germany, for which he played for 12 years, undeniably has his signature. In the semi-final of the Paris Olympic Games, against India, the cunning fox lurked for his chance when he put his stick on the floor five minutes in front of the time and tapped the liberating 3-2 of a cross from a cross that brought Germany to the final. It betrays what Bloemendaal can expect from him next season.
I am not the most technical player nor the fastest. But I know very well where to stand in the circle. I am sharp on rebounds and tip-ins. I am a Finisher, ‘Spletkau will appropriately summarize his own game.
Das Phantom ‘should help Bloemendaal -Goals
The nickname Bloemendaal gave him in the press release about his arrival – Das Phantom – Was new to him. However, it made him smile. It is the same nickname as that of former footballer Roy Makaay, who was also often invisible in Bayern Munich for 89 minutes, to decide the game in the last minute. The expectations around Spleenkau are high in the richest municipality in the Netherlands. It is high time to win prizes again, they think in Bloemendaal. After the golden age with three national titles and three EHLs, a new chapter started, one in which nothing has been won for two years.
In the meantime, after last season, what was a shaky with the early elimination in the play -offs and the defeat in the final of the Euro Hockey League, they have said goodbye to about half of the attacker. Dennis Warmerdam stopped. Nathan Ephraums returned to Australia and Yannick van der Drift surprisingly made the switch to neighboring HBS. To add new fire to the attack, the 18-year-old Belgian talent Max Langer and the 24-year-old German striker Elian Mazkour were brought in. But they had not played major tournaments for their national team yet. So Bloemendaal can put the experience of Miltkau, which Gold (2023, Bhubaneswar) and Olympic silver (2024, Paris) in his pocket, can put good use.
In the World Cup Final 2023, in Bhubaneswar, Marco Siltkau takes a shoot-out against Belgian goalkeeper Vincent Vanasch. Photo: Willem Vernes
‘I can help those guys read the game’
Even before the season has started well, the German is already growing in the expected role of him: that of experienced guide for his teammates. “I try to make others better. I immediately started doing that from the first training session. Especially with the attackers. I walk to players, talk to them and give them personal tips. Technically, I don’t have to explain anything to them, those guys have so much talent. But I can help them read the game. For example, about where to stand, how to position yourself. Or what options you have when you have the ball. Small things, but they often make the difference.
The lost Olympic final against the Netherlands was his last game in the sweater of the German national team. After twelve years of international top hockey it was time for a new chapter in his life. Together with his brother-in-law, he started a company in e-marketing. At club level he remained active on the Gray -Middenveld with Klein Switzerland, the team that brought him to the big league in 2020.
I immediately said: if I go for it, I will do it one hundred percent. Not eighty percent. I may be 35, but I really want to get the best out of myself this season. Marco Siltkau
The call from Bloemendaal a few months ago came all the more unexpected. But before something was signed, coach Michel van den Heuvel wanted to look straight into his eyes. Did he go to Bloemendaal, or did he go full throttle this season? Because if not, he didn’t have to come. Van den Heuvel was so clear.
Spleenkau: ‘But that’s how I immediately thought about it myself. I immediately said: if I go for it, I will do it one hundred percent. Not eighty percent. This summer I moved directly from The Hague to Amsterdam, so I don’t have to travel that far to Bloemendaal. I may be 35, but I really want to get the best out of myself this season. I want to pop.
With Germany, Marco Siltkau conquers the world title in India in 2023. Photo: Willem Vernes
At Bloemendaal he is back where he belongs: close to the goal
Whether he is the missing link Bloemendaal was of course still to be seen. The years are also starting to count for him. No field goal – although three goals from penalties – he scored last season with Klein Switzerland. But as a striker of the Capricorns, he was often low on the field, far from his hunting ground: the circle. With Bloemendaal he is back where he belongs: close to the goal. He can smell it just like that, so to speak. It immediately makes the target scorer again in him.
We have so many guys who can deliver the ball in the circle. Then it is up to me to strike out of nowhere. At least that is the idea. But I am convinced that this will actually happen. ‘
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