The Netherlands is ready to rock!
The wait is almost over—the European Championship (EC) is just around the corner, and the excitement is reaching fever pitch! Event organizer Hans de Rooij and his team have been working tirelessly to bring the best of disc dog sport to the big stage, and from the sounds of it, this year promises to be something truly special.Big Turnout for the Finals
This year’s EC is expected to draw an impressive number of competitors. “For the weekend, including the Discdogcup, we have about 85 teams,” Hans revealed. “For just the finals, there will be 79 teams competing for the title.” With so many talented teams from across Europe, fans can expect top-tier freestyle routines, nail-biting distance competitions, and the unique challenge of the D-Tour, making its European Finals debut this year.A World-Class Judges Panel
The judging teams for this year’s event read like a who’s who of the disc dog world: Freestyle Finals Judges Reint Elzinga (NL) Martin Tederke (DE) Reinhard Edler Steiner (AUT) Jan Mischok (DE) Throw & Catch Patrick van Rosmalen (Head Judge) Rouche de Vries Yvette Le Noble Danny Plusquin Wendy van Wlezen Antoine D-Tour (European Finals debut!) Dion Ouwens Steef Heuer Chris Bontekoe Patrick van Veen Paul Lucius With such an experienced and respected group, the integrity and quality of judging is guaranteed.Top Announcers & Event Atmosphere
The excitement on the field will be matched by the energy behind the mic: Freestyle – Marloes Wehn, known as the best Dutch female announcer Distance – Wouter Crins, a steady and enthusiastic voice D-Tour – Tan Huijsman And to keep the vibe going all weekend long, Hans’s son, Stan de Rooij, will be on the DJ decks providing the soundtrack to an unforgettable event.Behind the Scenes: Teamwork and Dedication
While the spotlight shines on the competitors, a huge effort is happening behind the scenes. “We start building the field on Tuesday, but in reality, our organization began back in February,” Hans explained. “Honestly, it was a bit late because there were changes early on and our team only came together from then.” The core organizing team of five—Cindy, Rouche, Xandra, Karin, and Hans—has been supported by 20 incredible volunteers who will be working throughout the weekend to make sure everything runs smoothly.Venue, Spectators, and Sponsors
The event will take place at a fantastic venue with plenty of space, on-site camping, and excellent facilities including toilets and showers. “We don’t know exactly how many spectators to expect, but we hope for a big turnout,” Hans said. “The weather forecast isn’t perfect yet, but we’ve done a lot of promotion—including a video—to get people excited.” This year’s headline sponsor is Farmfood, with additional support from Dogtivity, who have invested an incredible amount of time and energy into the event, as well as many smaller sponsors contributing products and services.Overcoming Challenges with Love for the Sport
This year’s EC comes with an extra layer of meaning for the organizers. “We really jumped into a big hole when Puck had to step back for health reasons,” Hans admitted. “But we do this with all the love we have for the sport. I’m especially grateful to Cindy and Rouche—without them, we wouldn’t be where we are today. And of course, Reint as our backup, and both our teams—Team Disc Dogs and Dogtivity—for all their support.”“But we do this with all the love we have for the sport. I’m especially grateful to Cindy and Rouche—without them, we wouldn’t be where we are today."It’s clear that this event is more than just a competition—it’s a celebration of community, resilience, and passion for disc dog sport. The European Championship is here. The stage is set. Are you ready? Stay tuned for updates, highlights, and all the action from what promises to be one of the most thrilling disc dog events of the year!