The title dream of the German hockey women at the home European Championships in Mönchengladbach has burst. In the final, the team of national coach Janneke Schopman was defeated 1-2 (0: 2) against the Olympic champions from the Netherlands and thus missed the possible double gold the day before after the men’s triumph.
Unlike twelve years ago, there was no double triumph for the DHB teams. The men had won their own final against the neighboring country on Saturday in the shootout. In 2013, both teams in Belgium cheered the European Championship trophy for the first time and last time, for the women’s team of the German Hockey Association (DHB), the waiting for the third title continues.
“It was a big fight of ours from start to finish. I am infinitely proud of this young team. The narrow result is super bitter,” said Selin Oruz, who will end her career in the national team. Schopman attested her selection a “very good game”. But: “If we’re so close, it hurts.”
The goal of captain Lisa Nolte (35th) was not enough for the German sensation victory, for the young team the silver medal in the first year after the great upheaval is still a success. Pien Dickness (5th) and Luna Fokke (18th) met for the Netherlands, who continued to sit on the throne with their fifth EM triumph in a row. All big titles have been going to the Netherlands since 2017.
Joint hockey festival of both fan camps
The European title fights for German-Dutch Festival had long since become, in the hockey highburg Mönchengladbach, close to the border, both fan camps celebrated a joint festival before kick-off. Just in time for the grand finale, a little sun had returned to the blue of the hockey park, but at first it seemed again for Oranje.
Pien gave the top favorites in the lead early on. The DHB selection came into the game better afterwards, but again it was the final woman Julia Sonntag, who had to grab behind. The German women did not give up, captain Nolte brought back hope for the DHB team, and the Gladbach witch kettle also awoke again.
The happy ending against the big favorite was in the end. As in the preliminary round in the 1: 5 swatter against the Netherlands, the Danas went off the pitch as a loser.