THE INSIDER: Valkenswaard, 2022 - now live!

The 12th stage Global Champions League took place in Valkenswaard at the Tops International Arena as Stockholm Hearts powered by H&M and Berlin Eagles powered by Fundis Richsport once again went head to head. 

In this episode of The Insider, hosts Marc Lewis and Frederik De Backer look at the difficulty of Round 1, the tight finish between the top 4 and just how big the pool is for the GCL Super Cup semifinals.

The Paris Panthers once again failed to convert a pole position into a podium finish. Lewis: "It can be described as the Paris Panthers Curse! It has been a year where they have repeated this terrible record again and again."

Team manager Rob Hoeksta: "These guys are very experienced. It's been the story of our season. We just can't get lucky."

Berlin Eagles have reduced the championship lead to just two points after winning in Valkenswaard. De Backer: "It starts with GCL Round 1 and they come out of 4 penalties. Then, Beerbaum with the steady clear and Weishaupt, after the third or fourth fence, started speeding up and produces the fastest clear round of the class."

Madrid in Motion were one of three teams eliminated in Round 1. Maikel van der Vleuten: "It was not our weekend, we thought we had the right team but these things happen. It's one of the few times this team has been eliminated. The horse was not comfortable in the triple combination. We are still aiming for the highest possible place."

This week's three Star Jumper nominees were also unveiled for standout moments and performances this weekend:

Lily Atwood

Eric Lamaze

Efe Siyahi

The GCL next moves to Rome for Round 13 from September 2nd-4th. To find out more about the Global Champions League, watch this week's episode of The Insider on GCTV!