Comeback kings Germany clinch title
BHUBANESWAR: A minute from the half-time hooter, Belgium, the Olympic champions and finalists of the last two Olympics and World Cups, were well on their way to defend their title, having won here at the Kalinga Stadium four years ago.
With a 2-0 lead, most teams would consider the job done in a high-pressure World Cup final. But not against Germany. Both England and Australia will vouch for that. In the quarter-final against
England and semi-final against Australia, Germany overturned a two-goal deficit in the last two minutes to win. The final was no different as Germany came back again to halt the Belgian juggernaut and win their third title, after success in 2002 and 2006.
Germany won 3-3 (5-4) in sudden death. Player of the Match as well as Series Niklas Wellen (28th minute), drag-flick ace Gonzalo Peillat (40th) and Mats Grambusch (47th) scored for the winners while Florent van Aubel (9th), Tanguy Cosyns (10th) and Tom Boon (58th) scored for Belgium in regulation time.
In a repeat of the group phase game that ended in a 2-2 draw, nothing separated the European neighbours. In the sudden death, Belgium’s Cosyns missed his attempt which saw the German players rush towards goalkeeper Jean-paul Danneberg to celebrate an unlikely victory, having last won a major (Olympics or World Cup) at the 2012 London Olympics.
The Mats Grambusch-led Germans have thrived under pressure from the start. Despite not finishing at the top in the group, they fought back through the crossovers.
On Sunday, after a couple of initial attacks where Germany also earned two successive penalty corners (PC), it was Belgium who struck with Van Aubel putting them ahead. The holders barely waited another minute before Cosyns made it 2-0. Gauthier Boccard almost made it 3-0
Hockey World Cup
but his drag-flick was saved by Alexander Stadler in the goal.
Germany got a crucial opportunity in the 18th minute when they were awarded a penalty stroke after Victor Wegnez blocked a ball with his body. But Tom Grambusch’s scoop to the top left was stopped by the experienced Vincent Vanasch, who was named Goalkeeper of the Tournament.
On their fifth PC, Wellen converted to narrow the gap. Nine minutes into the second quarter, Nicolas de Kerpel got a green card and Belgium were down to 10 for two minutes. Germany cashed in on the advantage and equalised through drag-flick great Peillat. Two minutes into the final quarter, Grambusch made a brilliant run and pushed the ball between Vanasch’s legs to give Germany the lead. But Belgium drew level through Boon who converted their final PC to push the contest into the shootout. The win also ensured that Germany regained the world No 1 ranking.
Netherlands third
Earlier in the day, Netherlands beat Australia 3-1 to clinch the bronze medal. While Australia drew first blood with Jeremy Haywards’ 13th minute goal, the Dutch bounced back with goals from Jip Janssen (33rd) and skipper Thierry Brinkman (35th, 40th) to win the third-place match.