The German hockey homes celebrated a highly convincing victory in the Pro League on a historic evening.
In the 336th international game by Martin Zwicker, who became a record national player in Berlin, the world champion top team struck Australia 5-0 (4: 0). The women’s selection of the German Hockey Association (DHB), however, won an important victory in the relegation battle.
Before the game, the native of Berlin was celebrated by his home crowd. The 38-year-old had given his international debut in 2008, now he displaced Matthias Witthaus from the top of the record list. Zwicker became world champion with the DHB team 2023, in Rio 2016 he won Olympic bronze, and in 2024 in Paris he won silver with the team at the summer games.
His team then prepared a worthy record game for the veteran. Benedikt Schwarzhaupt (5th), Malte Hellwig (13./26.), Moritz Ludwig (19th) and Raphael Hartkopf (36th) met against disappointing Australians, which Germany had already defeated 3-2 on Tuesday. At the weekend, the final Pro League games against England are pending. The DHB team can no longer achieve the premiere place one and thus the premature World Cup qualification.
Previously, top player Sonja Zimmermann had led the women to an important 2-1 (1: 0) success against China. After the 1-0 by Felicia Wiedermann (23rd) and the interim compensation of the Asian women by Zeng Xueling (36th), the 26-year-old from Mannheim HC scored the winning goal in the 49th minute by seven meters.
Due to the victory, the team of national coach Janneke Schopman is now three points ahead of the bottom of the table India, who also has a much worse goal difference. At the end of the season, the last -placed team descends from the Pro League. Germany can make the relegation in the two final games in Berlin against England on Saturday (4.30 p.m.) and Sunday (2 p.m./Magenta sport) perfectly.