On the last day of the TriFinance EuroHockey Championships, Germany sneaked past Belgium to defend their European title, and the Netherlands staged a comeback to win bronze over England. Spain defeated Poland to finsih fifth, and Ireland wrestle a draw from the Czech Republic to win their spot amonst Europe's top eight in 2015.
Final: Germany - Belgium 3-1 (0-0)
Germany successfully defended their European title with a 3-1 win against the Belgian hosts.
The final was played with the 8.600 seater stadium sold out and no empty seat in sight. The large and vocal crowd spurred the Red Lions on to an energetic start that saw them have several promising opportunities, but they couldn't make them count. Germany stepped up towards the break but could not yet get on the scoreboard, and the first half ended goalless.
After the re-start, it was Belgium who got the better start, as Tom Boon finished off an attack with the first goal of the match. Only minutes later however, Germany levelled the scores again, as Martin Zwicker deflected a shot across the line.
Ten minutes later, Germany then went ahead, as Benni Wess dashed into the circle from the right and slammed the ball into the boards. Belgium pushed to pull level again and had some chances, but eventually, it was the Germans again who scored, when Oliver Korn guided the ball into the goal from his vantage point at the post.
The German men thus took the crown, their record 8th European title, to complete the double after their women took gold yesterday, and denying the home team the elusive triumph on home soil. Nonetheless, the silver medal is the best finish ever for the Red Lions.
Bronze medal match: Netherlands - England 3-2 (1-2)
In the bronze medal match, the Netherlands came out winning, thanks to a hattrick from Jeroen Hertzberger.
Hertzberger had opened the scoring early with a penalty corner goal, but England turned the result around with fast counter-attacks. Iain Lewers scored a fantastic goal, landing a cracking shot into the top of the net from an impossibly narrow angle. A penalty corner goal from Richard Smith just before halftime gave England a 2-1 lead into the break.
The Dutch came back with a vengeance after the re-start however, and Jeroen Hertzberger turned the tables with two goals scored less than three minutes apart. The orange shirts went on to protect their lead despite some good efforts by England, claiming the bronze medal with their 3-2 win.
Pool C: Ireland - Czech Republic 3-3 (1-2)
The second match of the day had Ireland stage a late comeback to hold the Czech Republic to a draw that secured Ireland's status as top eight in Europe until 2015.
The match had seen a surprise start as the Czech Republic took an early lead when Lukas Plochy's ball across the circle was deflected into the goal by the irish defense. Eight minutes later, Štepan Bernátek even doubled the advantage with a brilliant deflection into the top of the net. In the stands, the Polish players were cheering as the unexpected turn of events opened up the door for Poland to maintain A status in Europe.
Ireland were finally able to get their foot in the door when Conor Harte first got the them on the scoreboard midway through the first half, but the Czech held on to their lead tightly. Midway through the second half, Ondrej Vudmaska even re-established the two goal lead, but under the impression of impending relegation, Ireland starting to increase the pressure and attack relentlessly.
Stuart Loughry got a touch on a cross to get Ireland within striking distance in the 58th minute, and Irish captain John Jackson finally crushed Czech and Polish alike when he converted a penalty corner. The Czech team could turn the match around again and the draw stood at the final whistle, sending Poland and the Czech Republic into relegation while Ireland join Spain as 2015 EuroHockey Championship participants.
Pool C: Spain - Poland 4-1 (2-0)
The early morning game in Boom had seen Spain sail past Poland.
Spain had good control over the match, scoring a pair of goals in each half to secure fifth place in the competition. Pau Quemada authored spain's first goal from a penalty corner with his trademark dragflick, and Edi Tubau piled on the second in the dying seconds of the first half.
Two minutes after the break, Tubau found the mark again with a penalty stroke, scoring his second of the day and sixth overall in the event, which eventually crowned him Topscorer of the Tournament. Pawel Bratkowski pulled one back for Poalnd from a penalty corner shortly after, but that was all Poland could do. Miki Delàs still piled on a late goal to establish the 4-1 final scoreline. Spain were thus safely parked in fifth place while Poland eventually ended up relegated to Europe's second flight for 2015.
To follow the TriFinance EuroHockey Championships in more detail, please visit www.trifinanceeurohockey2013.be or www.eurohockey.org.
