Germany’s hockey women are going to the Olympic Games in Paris. In the semi-finals of the qualifying tournament in Ranchi, India, the German Hockey Association’s selection beat the hosts 4-3 in a penalty shootout after a thriller and secured one of the three tickets early. In the following final against the USA they even won the tournament.
After regular time it was 2:2 (1:1). The men are also in the semi-finals in Oman and can follow suit on Saturday. Charlotte Stapenhorst (27th minute/57th) scored twice for the German team in front of a spectacular backdrop in hockey-crazy India – Ishika Chaudhary scored the lucky equalizer shortly before the end with a penalty corner (59th) after Deepika had given the hosts an early lead (15th/penalty corner).
Lisa Nolte converts the last penalty
Lisa Nolte scored the decisive try in the penalty shootout. “It’s simply outstanding what great conviction this team has until the last second”said match winner Nolte: “Together we won this penalty shootout – now we are extremely proud.”
In addition to the basketball world champions and the volleyball men, the hockey women are the third German team from classic team sports to have qualified for Paris. In addition, the team European champions in table tennis have secured their ticket.
Both the women and men missed their first chance to qualify directly for the Olympics in August. At the home European Championships in Mönchengladbach they only achieved a disappointing third or fourth place.
Christina Schröder, Sportschau, January 18, 2024 7:17 p.m
Tournament win against the USA
Coach Valentin Altenburg’s team defeated the USA, who also qualified, 2-0 in the final on Friday (January 19, 2024) and thus ended the tournament without defeat. Jette Fleschütz and Sonja Zimmermann scored the goals for the DHB selection. In addition to Germany and the USA, Japan also qualified for the tournament in Paris this summer.