BELGIUM: Germany beat Spain 1-0 to retain the men’s Hockey World Cup title and win the tournament for a record-equalling fourth time at the Belfius Arena on Sunday.
Michel Struthoff scored the only goal late in the third quarter to secure Germany’s second successive world title.
Germany had beaten co-hosts Belgium in the semi-finals, while Spain defeated Belgium’s other opponents to reach the final. Both teams had conceded very few goals during the tournament and produced a closely fought final.
Germany started brightly and created the first major opportunity when Benedikt Schwarzhaupt’s penalty-corner effort was saved by Spain goalkeeper Luis Calzado.
Spain struggled to create clear chances in the opening half. Borja Lacalle tested Germany goalkeeper Jean-Paul Danneberg with a powerful shot in the second quarter, but Danneberg made the save.
Spain improved after the interval and had three penalty corners in the third quarter, but Pepe Cunill and captain Marc Miralles were unable to convert them.
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Germany continued to threaten on the counter-attack and eventually broke the deadlock.
Hannes Muller won the ball near the top of the circle and found Struthoff, who had moved towards the byline. Struthoff then rounded Calzado and fired into an empty net to put Germany ahead in the
Spain replaced Calzado with an outfield player in the final minutes in an attempt to find an equaliser, but Germany held firm to secure victory.
The win gives Germany their fourth men’s Hockey World Cup title, drawing them level with Pakistan as the most successful team in the tournament’s history.
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