Germany’s hockey women have reached the semi-finals at the World Cup with a win against New Zealand and are playing for a medal.
The selection of the German Hockey Association (DHB) narrowly won the quarter-finals against New Zealand in the Wagener Stadium in Amstelveen on Tuesday (07/12/2022), but earned 1-0. This was the first time in twelve years that the German women’s hockey team had reached a World Cup semi-final.
Micheel with the winning goal for the “Danas”
Lena Micheel put the “Danas” on course with the opening goal in the 17th minute, taking advantage of a superior number after a time penalty against the New Zealanders. It was the first tournament goal for the Hamburg native.
After taking the lead, national coach Valentin Altenburg’s team dominated for long stretches, but, as in the previous games, missed many chances and kept the game unnecessarily exciting. Pauline Heinz failed at the post just before half-time, and the DHB team left ten penalty corners unused.
Ten minutes before the end, the “Danas” had to survive a tricky phase when two players, Pauline Heinz and Anne Schröder, conceded time penalties and New Zealand also took the goalkeeper off the field. Despite being outnumbered, the lead held until the end.
Semi-finals in Terrassa against Argentina or England
Now the German team is traveling to Terrassa in Spain for the medal round. There they meet on Saturday night the winner of the quarter-final duel between Argentina and England, which takes place on Wednesday night.