Hosts India is placed in a tough Pool B alongside current world champions Australia and reigning Olympic bronze medallist Germany in the men's Hockey World League (HWL) Final to be held in Bhubaneswar from December 1 to 10.

Besides India, World League champions Australia and Germany, Pool B also features seventh placed England, who is the reigning bronze medalist in the Euro Hockey Nations Championship.

According to the schedule announced by the International Hockey Federation (FIH) today, India will open their campaign against the mighty Kookaburras on December 1 before taking on England (December 2) and Germany (December 4).

Pool A, meanwhile, consists of Olympic champions Argentina, European champions Netherlands, Olympic silver medallists Belgium and Spain.

European rivals Germany and England will get the event off to a flier at the Kalinga Stadium before the India- Australia duel.

The Pool stages will run from December 1-5 and will be followed by the quarterfinals on December 6-7.

Following that classification matches, semi-finals will take place over the next two days before the bronze medal match and Final on December 10.

Pools:

Pool A: Argentina, Belgium, Netherlands, Spain

Pool B: Australia, India, Germany, England