The German hockey women fought their way into the final at the European Championship in Mönchengladbach thanks to great nerve strength.
The team of national coach Janneke Schopman defeated Belgium 4: 3 after Shootout on Friday evening, after 60 minutes it was 1-1 (1-0).
“I can’t believe it yet, it’s totally surreal,” said goal scorer Ines Wanner: “I’m so proud of this team.” The 25-year-old had put Germany in the lead after three minutes.
German women have been waiting for the title since 2013
In the last quarter, the Belgians, who had also prevailed 1-0 in the semi-finals at the EM tournament two years ago, returned 1-0 in the semi-finals. In the shootout, the team around goalkeeper Julia Sonntag finally demonstrated cold chic.
“We still had an invoice with Belgium,” said Sonntag, who had prevented three penalty goals from the Belgians in the decision, with Magenta Sport: “Nobody knew what we were to expect. And now we are just in the final. It’s such a great feeling.”
Favorite is waiting in the final Netherlands
For the first triumph since 2013, a surprise against the Netherlands is needed in the final on Sunday (5 p.m.), against which it had already set a clear defeat in the preliminary round.
The big EM favorite with 12 winnings previously previously prevailed 3-1 against Spain in the first semi-finals with three goals from Yibbi Jansen and was harmless in the fourth game.
Before the duel against her home country, Schopman does not see her team without a chance, despite the 1: 5 defeat in the group game. “You are not invincible. I believe that we can beat everyone,” said the 48-year-old.
Germany against the Netherlands also among men
After the title in 2013 in the Belgian boom, Schopman’s team is now aiming for the third European Championship victory, even the golden double strike can be achieved against the Netherlands: both nations also compete in the men’s final (Saturday, 6 p.m.).
Germany takes the lead early, but does not follow up
Driven by the 5,000 well-laid out spectators, the DHB selection immediately searched the way forward on the blue artificial turf and got a starting to measure.
The first penalty corner brought early leadership. But the Belgians, who was trained by Rein van Eijk, the former U21 coach of the DHB, quickly found their pace and came to good offensive campaigns, which were ended at Julia Sonntag in the German goal.
Belgium ten minutes before the end
The best options for the DHB selection arose after penalty corners. Lilly Stoffelsma failed shortly before the half -time break.
In the second round, Sophia Schwabe missed the 2-0 (41.) in front of the Belgian final woman. As a result, the Belgians used a long German outnumbered phase after a yellow card against Hanna Carina Granitzki to compensate. An exciting final phase developed – with the decision in the shootout with the hit by Lena Micheel.
Our sources:
- Game Belgium against Germany in Magenta Sport
- News agencies SID and dpa
