The German hockey women have completed the home European Championships in Mönchengladbach and won bronze.
The team of national coach Valentin Altenburg defeated group opponents England 3-0 (2-0) in the match for third place on Saturday (08/26/2023). The selection of the German Hockey Association (DHB) had already prevailed against the British in the preliminary round.
Two days after the bitter semi-final defeat against Belgium, co-captain Sonja Zimmermann (12th minute), Charlotte Stapenhorst (26th) and Jette Fleschütz (58th) scored for the hosts, who are still waiting for their first European title since 2013.
Jerky start
At the beginning, the German women did not develop, England had the first big chance. With a hidden shot by Elena Rayer (3rd), Julia Sonntag had to stretch in goal to scrape the ball out of the corner with the bat.
As a result, both teams neutralized each other before Germany took five penalty corners in a row in the opposing circle – Zimmermann was successful with a flat curl at the fifth attempt.
But England remained brave and the German defense wobbled. Another chance from Rayer (14′) and two hits against the post (20’/22′) meant the equalizer was in the air, but instead Stapenhorst increased a little later. The Berliner escaped her opponents on the left side and hit hard at half-time.
Hardly any chances to score
After the break, the DHB women pushed for the preliminary decision. England formed defensively compact, but repeatedly allowed gaps, without Germany being able to capitalize further from the game or with penalty corners.
Shortly before the end, England replaced their keeper with another field player, Fleschütz hit the empty goal on the counterattack and set the final point – then a roaring hockey park cheered the German bronze medal.
No Olympic qualification yet
The gold medal would have meant early qualification for the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, which is why the Belgians will be fighting the defending champions and record winners, the Netherlands, in the afternoon.
Like the DHB women, the German men narrowly failed in the semi-finals, after a goalless regular season, the world champion lost out to England in a penalty shootout. The team of national coach André Henning will now fight for bronze against Olympic champions Belgium on Sunday (12.30 p.m.) in the Gladbach Hockey Park.