Tournament in India: German hockey women start Olympic qualification with victory

A confident start for the German hockey women in the qualifying tournament for the Olympics: The DHB selection won 3-0 against Chile.

This continued at the Olympic qualifying tournament in Ranchi, India team by national coach Valentin Altenburg in the opening game on Saturday (January 13th, 2024) with 3-0 (2-0) against Chile. Third place in the eight-man tournament is enough to qualify for the Summer Games.

The favorites continue in season A on Sunday (10 a.m. CET) against Japan, and the Czech Republic awaits at the end of the group phase on Tuesday (7:30 a.m.). If the “Danas” make it to the semi-finals, they have two chances to successfully qualify.

Oruz, Fleschütz and Nolte meet

Selin Oruz (7th) after a penalty corner and Jette Fleschütz (10th) set the course for victory early on at the Marang Gomke Jaipal Singh Astro Turf Stadium. Lisa Nolte (38th) followed up.

“It was a solid start. I’m very happy with our team performance”said Sonja Zimmermann, who was named best player of the game.

DHB coach Altenburg: “There is room for improvement”

Altenburg sees “there is still room for improvement in the game and in the move to the goal.” His players “often failed because of an excellent goalkeeper against a very deep and well-defending Chilean team.”

The selection of the German Hockey Association (DHB) missed the first chance to qualify for the Olympics directly in August. At the home European Championships in Mönchengladbach they only achieved a disappointing third place. The German men, world champions in 2023, will fight for their ticket to France in Oman from Monday.