Germany scored three goals in the final quarter to secure a 4-0 victory over the visiting USA women at SparkassenPark in Mönchengladbach. Lena Micheel opened the scoring with a brilliant reception in tight, while Sonja Zimmerman, Charlotte Gerstenhöfer and Elisa Gräve tallied in the fourth to secure the weekend sweep. To see the current women’s FIH Pro League Standings, click here.
Alexander Stadler’s left boot denied Rafael Vilallonga in the first sudden death shootout attempt to secure the win for Germany after a 1-1 regulation time score line. Newly-added penalty corner ace Gonzalo Peillat scored in the 48th minute, his second goal in as many games in Germany kit. A brilliant rebound finish from Spain’s José Basterra tied the game in the final minute to send the game to a shootout, where the hosts won 3-2. To see the current men’s FIH Pro League Standings, click here.
Germany v United States (women) – SparkassenPark, Mönchengladbach (GER)
Die Danas continued to show their precision and pace despite being held to one goal in the opening half. USA’s most quality first-half chance came on a close-range opportunity for captain Amanda Magadan but equal to the task was the out-stretched stick of Sonia Zimmerman. USA keeper Kelsey Bing showed her experience denying a blast from Pia Maertens. Germany’s opening goal came late in the second quarter when a brilliant turn from Hanna Granitzki allowed her to find Lena Micheel all alone at the far post. Micheel did well to receive, shield the ball and fire low past Bing for the 1-0 lead.
Following the game Micheel, named player of the match, said: ‘It really was hard work but we were totally aware of the fact that it was going to be like that and I’m really happy and honoured to open the score with the first goal in front of this amazing audience. We were able to free ourselves a little bit after that.’
The United States did well to keep up with the German attack but fatigue started to show itself as passes seemed unable to connect through their midfield. In the opening minutes of the fourth quarter Germany’s press paid off as they forced a foot off Julianna Tornetta for a penalty corner. Zimmerman made no mistake with a low flick stick side that ricocheted off the back board past USA keeper Kealsie Robles. In the 50th minute the right-side efforts of a streaking Emma Davidsmeyer set up an attack for Emma Boermans on the right baseline. Boermans crossed the ball for Gerstenhöfer who did well to sweep the ball in on the run and lift Germany 3-0.
Germany’s final goal came off a deep turnover by USA’s Paityn Wirth. The ball quickly countered down the right side for Micheel. Speed and patience paid off as Micheel took her defender to the baseline only drop the ball back to a wide open Gräve. Yesterday’s player of the match buried the ball on her back hand. The 4-0 victory gave Germany two shutout wins in Pro League play.
USA’s Amanda Magadan commented after the game: ‘I definitely think we were trying to put them under a lot of pressure… we weren’t unable to do that and they had a lot of breakaways. They had a lot of counter-attacks and they are very clinical in the circle so it’s something that going in to our next games against Holland that we really need to come up with a plan so that doesn’t happen again.’
Germany v Spain (men) – SparkassenPark, Mönchengladbach (GER)
The opening half was a spectacle as both teams played with precision and tenacity that made for exciting hockey. Germany’s Niklas Wellen had opportunities in the Spanish circle but Spain’s defence, headed by Adrian Rafi in goal, were more than up for the challenge. Christopher Rühr did as he did best, making Spain spin only to have his crafty shot towards goal saved on the line by Andreas Rafi with only one hand on his stick.
Germany had their chances on penalty corners but Ignacio Rodrigues, as he did the day before, denied Tom Grambusch at the post. Spain also had goes from the set piece when Jordi Bonastre took down a long-range aerial in the circle and was able to find the foot of Martin Zwicker. Eighteen-year-old keeper Jean Danneberg’s pads denied back-to-back flicks from Marc Miralles. Germany had several penalty corners and free play opportunities but just could not beat Rafi to leave the game scoreless at halftime.
Following a video referral Germany earned a penalty corner and Peillat delivered for a 1-0 lead in the 48th minute. Spain pulled Rafi in the final moments of the game and it paid off. A video referral gave Spain a penalty corner. The powerful flick from Pepe Cunill came off the pads of Stadler but the ball was effortlessly deflected in by Basterra to level the game and send it to shootouts.
Wellen, Raphael Hartkopf and Thies Prinz put Germany up 3-2 in the shootout. Rafi kept Spain in it to give Rafael Vilallonga the chance to bring Spain level but Stadler got a boot on it to secure the extra point for Germany.
Player of the match Niklas Wellen said after the game: ‘I think we actually did lots of good stuff and we controlled the game but it was a bit similar like yesterday. We missed the point to go like two goals, three goals ahead, same as yesterday. In the end, of course, any team can score in a minute.’
FIH Pro League – 27 March 2022
SparkassenPark, Mönchengladbach (GER)
Result: Women’s Match 24
Germany 4, United States 0
Player of the Match: Lena Micheel (GER)
Umpires: Alison Keogh (IRL), Michiel Otten (NED), Sarah Wilson (SCO-video)
Result: Men’s Match 32
Germany 1, Spain 1 (3-2 SO)
Player of the Match: Niklas Wellen (GER)
Umpires: Sarah Wilson (SCO), Dan Barstow (ENG), Michiel Otten (NED-video)
To see the complete FIH Hockey Pro League match schedule, please click here.
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