1. histologically confirmed primary diagnosis of classical Hodgkin's lymphoma.
2. patients under 18 years of age on the date of written informed consent. In specialized Teenage and Young Adult (TYA) units in Australia, France, Italy, New Zealand and United Kingdom patients up to under 25 years of age can also be enrolled. Lower age limits will be country specific according to national laws or formal insurance requirements that may preclude very young patients.
3. written informed consent of the patient and/or the patient's parents or guardian according to national laws.
4. negative pregnancy test within 2 weeks prior to starting treatment for female patients with childbearing potential

(Patients with one or more of the following criterion are excluded)

1. prior chemotherapy or radiotherapy for other malignancies
2. pre-treatment of Hodgkin's lymphoma (except for steroid pre-phase to a maximum of 7-10 days for emergency treatment of a large mediastinal tumour).
3. diagnosis of lymphocyte-predominant Hodgkin's lymphoma
4. other (simultaneous) malignancies
5. contraindication or known hypersensitivity to study drugs
6. severe concomitant diseases (e.g. immune deficiency syndrome)
7. known HIV-positivity
8. residence outside the participating countries where long term follow-up cannot be guaranteed
9. pregnancy and / or lactation
10. patients who are sexually active and are unwilling to use adequate contraception during therapy and for one month after last trial treatment
11. current or recent (within 30 days prior to date of written informed consent) treatment with another investigational drug or participation in another interventional clinical trial