Hockey crime brings the German team to the gold course
The gold medal is within reach: The German hockey world champions are playing in the Olympic final against the Netherlands. In a tight game, the team led by national coach André Henning beats India. For the first time in twelve years, an Olympic victory is within reach again.
The German hockey world champions' gold mission at the Olympics is nearing completion after reaching the final. In the semi-final in Paris, the team led by national coach André Henning beat India 3:2 (2:1) and will face European champions Netherlands on Thursday (7 pm). Twelve years after their last triumph in London, the next Olympic victory was the men's national team's goal from the start. They have already secured silver.
In Tokyo three years ago, the German team finished without a medal. In the bronze medal match, they suffered a particularly bitter defeat against India after leading at one point. In France, revenge was successful thanks to goals from Gonzalo Peillat (18th minute), Christopher Rühr (27th minute, penalty) and Marco Miltkau (54th minute). Harmanpreet Singh (7th minute) and Sukhjeet Singh (36th minute) were successful for India.
Pressure until the end
Germany's defense was under pressure from the start and had to defend many penalty corners in the Stade Yves-du-Manoir. India's captain Harmanpreet Singh brought several dangerous shots on goal early on. On the fifth attempt, goalkeeper Jean-Paul Danneberg had no chance against a deflected ball and had to concede. In the first quarter, the Germans could hardly show themselves in attack with only 34 percent possession and too many individual errors.
In the preliminary round, Germany secured the group win with four wins in five games and then defeated Argentina 3:2 in a heated quarter-final thriller. Against eight-time Olympic champions India, Peillat equalized with a powerful shot from a penalty corner. Rühr then converted a penalty. At this point, the narrow lead was somewhat flattering.
Germany's lead was immediately in danger at the start of the second half. India was able to generate pressure through penalty corners again, with Sukhjeet Singh equalizing in one of those situations. Then the Asians, who had progressed to the quarter-finals despite long periods of numerical inferiority against Great Britain, retreated deep into their own half. Justus Weigand missed the best chance for the third goal - until Miltkau finally scored just before the end.
With their sights set on the Olympic Games 2024 in Paris, Germany's men's national hockey team is one victory away from redeeming their bronze medal defeat in Tokyo. The team, led by national coach André Henning, will face European champions Netherlands in the final after a tight 3:2 semifinal win over India.
After a tough quarterfinal against India in Tokyo, where they led but ended up without a medal, Germany is eager to claim the gold at the Olympic Games 2024 in Paris, a goal they have had since their last triumph in London twelve years ago.
