Jan 29, 2023
Germany ended Belgium's dominance in global hockey in the last 5 years as they made yet another stunning comeback from a 2-goal deficit to beat the defending champions.
Image Source: AP
With the win in penalty shootout, Germany clinched the FIH Hockey Men's World Cup for a third time.
Image Source: PTI
The two sides were locked 3-3 at the end of regulation time of the thrilling final. In the shootout, the Germans prevailed 5-4 in sudden death in front of a packed Kalinga Stadium.
Image Source: AFP
Niklas Wellen (29th), Gonzalo Peillat (41st) and captain Mats Grambusch (48th) scored for Germany in the regulation time while Florent van Aubel Florent (10th), Tanguy Cosyns (11th) and Tom Boon (59th) found the target for Belgium.
Image Source: AFP
This was the third time in the tournament that Germany had won after trailing 0-2 and their mental strength and never-say-die attitude came to the fore again as they denied the Belgians to defend their title.
Image Source: PTI
The earlier two matches were against England in the quarterfinals and Australia in the semifinals.
Image Source: PTI
Germany joined Australia and Netherlands to have clinched the World Cup title three times. Their earlier triumphs had come in 2002 and 2006.
Image Source: TOI
Only Pakistan have won the event four times.
Image Source: Twitter
A day before the summit clash, head coach Andre Henning had said that Germany have given massive focus on their defence but a two-minute Belgium blitzkrieg left them in daze.
Image Source: Twitter
Van Aubel gave Belgium the lead in the 10th minute as he leapt in the air and smashed the ball down into the German goal.
Image Source: AP
Even before the packed crowd barely settled down after the first goal, Cosyns made it 2-0 as he got down on his knees and tapped in an Antoine Kina cross from the left.
Image Source: PTI
Germany took a referral for a back stick but the video umpire ruled against them.
Image Source: ANI
Belgium could have been 3-0 up in the first minute of the second quarter but for German goalkeeper Alexander Stadler who brilliantly palmed away an effort from Gauthier Boccard.
Image Source: AFP
Germany had the golden chance to pull one back in the 19th minute but Tom Grambusch wasted a penalty stroke with Vincent Vanasch making a stunning save.
Image Source: ANI
Considered the best goalkeeper in the world, the 35-year-old Vanasch correctly predicted Grambusch's powerful shot directed at the right top corner.
Image Source: AFP
The never-say-die Germans reduced the deficit two minutes before the breather as Wellen struck from a penalty corner variation.
Image Source: PTI
Trailing 1-2 at half time, Germany had a chance to restore parity in the 40th minute but Vanasch padded away a Marco Mailtkau deflection.
Image Source: AFP
The Germans kept on pressing and got the equaliser in the 41st minute when penalty corner expert Peillat found the net to make the scoreline 2-2.
Image Source: IANS
Had Belgium won, they would have been the 4th team to successfully defend the title after Pakistan, Germany and Australia.
Image Source: AP