A minute clear of the half-time hooter, Belgium, Olympic champions and the undisputed kings of global hockey, have been smartly on their technique to protecting their World Cup identify, having received right here on the Kalinga Stadium slightly over 4 years in the past.
With a 2-0 lead, maximum groups would imagine the task completed in a high-pressure World Cup ultimate. But now not in opposition to Germany. Both England and Australia will vouch for that.
In the quarter-finals in opposition to England and semi-finals in opposition to Australia, Germany overturned a two-goal deficit within the closing two mins to win and input the summit conflict. The ultimate was once no other as Germany rallied from a two-goal deficit once more to halt the Belgian juggernaut – they’ve reached the general of the closing two Olympics in addition to World Cups – and win their 3rd identify, after victories in 2002 and 2006.
In the tip, comeback kings and steely Germany received 3-3 (5-4) in surprising demise after the law time and penalty shootout may now not make a decision the victor. Player-of-the-Match and event Niklas Wellen (twenty eighth minute), drag-flick ace Gonzalo Peillat (fortieth) and Mats Grambusch (forty seventh) scored for the winners whilst Florent van Aubel (ninth), Tanguy Cosyns (tenth) and Tom Boon (58th) scored for Belgium.
In a repeat of the crowd section recreation which resulted in a 2-2 draw, not anything separated the European neighbors even after the penalty shootout (3-3), pushing the competition into surprising demise. Belgium’s Cosyns overlooked his try which noticed the German gamers rush to goalkeeper Jean-Paul Danneberg to have a good time an not going victory, having closing received a significant (Olympics, World Cup) on the 2012 London Olympics.
The Grambusch-led Germany has thrived beneath strain from the beginning. Despite now not completing on the most sensible within the crew level, they fought again in the course of the crossovers and have been all however out within the closing 8 and semi-finals. But their never-say-die perspective noticed them clutch victory from the jaws of defeat. Sunday was once no other.
After a few preliminary assaults when Germany additionally earned two successive penalty corners (PC), it was once Belgium who struck, Florent van Aubel hanging them forward within the 9th minute. The holders slightly waited every other minute ahead of Cosyns made it 2-0. Gauthier Boccard virtually made it 3–0, however his drag-flick was once stored by means of Alexander Stadler within the target.
Germany were given a golden alternative within the 18th minute once they have been awarded a penalty stroke after Victor Wegnez blocked a ball along with his frame. But Tom Grambusch’s scoop to the highest left was once blocked with the stick by means of the skilled Vincent Vanasch, who was once named Goalkeeper-of-the-Tournament.
Despite the pass over and trailing 0-2, Germany by no means panicked. They slowly constructed up their assaults. They earned a few PC probabilities however wasted them. They larger their assaults, noticing that the Belgians have been getting a little complacent because the half-time hooter approached. Off their 5th PC, Wellen transformed to make it 1-2.
Germany were given every other alternative 9 mins into the second one 1/2 when Nicolas de Kerpel were given a inexperienced card. With Belgium down to ten males for 2 mins, Germany capitalized as drag-flick nice Peillat transformed to degree the competition.
Two mins into the general quarter, Grambusch made a super run into the putting circle and driven the ball between Vanasch’s legs from an acute perspective, giving Germany the lead for the primary time.
The rollercoaster nature of the general endured as Tom Boon transformed Belgium’s ultimate PC alternative with lower than two mins left to make it 3-3 and power the shootout. While Belgium endured with Vanasch, Germany modified their keeper from Stadler to Jean-Paul Danneberg within the shootout.
“We decided when we reached Bhubaneswar that Danneberg would be our keeper during shootouts as he is bigger than me,” mentioned Stadler. Germany additionally changed into global No. 1 with the triumph.
Netherlands beat Australia 3–1 to clinch the bronze medal. Australia took the lead thru Jeremy Haywards (thirteenth min), however the Dutch rallied thru Jip Janssen (thirty third) and skipper Thierry Brinkman (thirty fifth, fortieth).