Clear victory against Spain
Hockey men make dream finals perfect at home
14.08.2025 – 10:49 p.m.Reading time: 2 min.
After twelve years, Germany can win an EM title in hockey again. There is also a Olympic revanche.
With a furious start and a strong team performance, Germany’s hockey men have reached the European Championship final in their own country. In Mönchengladbach, the team of national coach André Henning clearly prevailed against Spain in the semifinals with 4: 1 (2: 1) – and is therefore faced with the opportunity for the first title since 2013.
“Extremely happy, extremely proud against the opponent, who has not so well been so good to get in so well,” said Henning in magenta. In front of a home crowd “a lot burned in the most positive sense”.
After 34 seconds, Johannes Große made the arena quake. After a foul on him, the penalty area specialist Gonzalo Peillat secured the due seven meter (1st). Captain Mats Grambusch increased to 2-0 in the 11th minute after a penalty corner. Spain’s José Basterra was able to shorten in the second quarter (27th), but the DHB selection remained game-determining.
Goalkeeper Jean Danneberg parried strongly several times, but had to surrender to Basterra’s massive shot. In the final section, Thies Prinz (48th) and again Peillat (56.) ensured the decision.
Success ensured the Germans not only the place in the final against the Netherlands, but also the ticket for the 2026 World Cup in Belgium and the Netherlands. For Captain Grambusch it will be the last game in the DHB jersey-he ends his national team career after the European Championship.
For Henning, the final is also an opportunity for revenge. Spain had recently made life difficult for the DHB team, among other things with two victories in the Pro League in June and a success at the Olympics. This time, however, the hosts prevailed confidently – and now want to follow the coronation.