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Hockey EM - German women lose in the final: "Already the best team in the world"

2021-06-15T16:57:04.493Z


They were close, but too weak in the penalty corners: The German women missed the European title - just like the men. The Netherlands are the pre-eminent hockey nation.


Enlarge image

Xavier Reckinger cheers up his players

Photo:

Frank Uijlenbroek / dpa

Immediately after the final whistle of the European Championship finals, a few tears flowed among the German hockey women, but a few minutes later at the award ceremony one could already see confidence again.

Despite the 2-0 defeat against defending champions Netherlands in Amsterdam, the German Olympic squad proved that they can keep up with the world's number one.

National coach Xavier Reckinger found words of praise for his selection, but he also said.

“We're not quite there yet.

They're still the best team in the world. "

Germany had several chances to score, including eight penalty corners.

"This time we were absolutely at eye level," said veteran Cécile Pieper.

"In the end it is up to us that the ball does not go over the line." The best German player in front of 3500 spectators in the Wagener Stadium was goalkeeper Julia Sonntag, who saved the people in front after 16 seconds from falling behind.

The World Champion's first penalty corner was also able to parry on Sunday before it was beaten by Marloes Keetels (18th minute) after a corner variation. Before half-time, Germany scored five penalty corners, but neither Sonja Zimmermann (21st) nor Nike Lorenz (23rd) scored. After the restart, the DHB selection continued to play bravely, but came to a conclusion too rarely. Lisa Altenburg (45th) had the best chance to make it 1-1 when she couldn't use a pass from Charlotte Stapenhorst in excess.

The guests also had good chances in the final quarter, but three more penalty corners (47th) remained unused.

This retaliated when Frédérique Matla (56th) completed a counterattack to 2-0 after losing the ball from Selin Oruz.

"That was a present from us," said Reckinger, who is gathering his team in Valencia for the last course before the Olympics in two weeks.

The German men had already lost their final 1: 4 in the penalty shootout against the Netherlands on Saturday and thus missed their first European title since 2013.

The Olympic third was leading 2: 1 until a few seconds before the end of regular time, but then conceded the compensation with the final penalty.

"The disappointment is huge because we noticed that the team is already ready to win tournaments," said national coach Kais al Saadi.

jan / dpa

Source: spiegel

All sports articles on 2021-06-15

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