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Germany retain hockey title

Germany retain hockey title

MOENCHENGLADBACH – Germany came from two goals down to claim a second straight hockey World Cup on Sunday, defeating Olympic champions Australia 4-3 in a thrilling repeat of the 2002 final.

In winning on home soil, Germany succeeded where their soccer compatriots had failed and the 12 000-strong crowd in the Warsteiner Hockey Park were able to relive some of the excitement generated during this summer’s football World Cup. Germany trainer Bernhard Peters, in his last match in charge before starting a job with a regional German football team, said he had been sceptical even up to a few weeks before the tournament whether such a young team could triumph.Roared on by the boisterous crowd, Germany began the final strongly and took the lead in the 18th minute when powerful forward Christopher Zeller burst into the circle and sent a deflected shot low into the goal.Australia hit back almost immediately, with Germany’s semi-final penalty hero Ulrich Bubolz unable to keep out a powerful strike from Mark Knowles at a penalty corner.Less than 10 minutes later the Kookaburras were ahead after Matthew Naylor fired the ball high into the net past Bubolz from another short corner.Australia, who won their only World Cup in 1986 in London, extended their lead at the start of the second period when Troy Elder scored after a break down the left.But Germany forced their way back into the match with two quick goals.Five minutes later Germany retook the lead.Strong running from the superb Zeller took him into the circle and he cleverly slipped the ball underneath Mowlam to send the partisan local supporters wild.Australia pressed for an equaliser, with Luke Doerner firing against a post in the 66th minute, but Germany held firm.Earlier on Sunday, European champions Spain beat South Korea 3-2 with an extra-time golden goal to take bronze.Spain were the only team to beat Australia in the group stage, but lost to Germany on penalties in their semi-final.Nampa-APGermany trainer Bernhard Peters, in his last match in charge before starting a job with a regional German football team, said he had been sceptical even up to a few weeks before the tournament whether such a young team could triumph.Roared on by the boisterous crowd, Germany began the final strongly and took the lead in the 18th minute when powerful forward Christopher Zeller burst into the circle and sent a deflected shot low into the goal.Australia hit back almost immediately, with Germany’s semi-final penalty hero Ulrich Bubolz unable to keep out a powerful strike from Mark Knowles at a penalty corner.Less than 10 minutes later the Kookaburras were ahead after Matthew Naylor fired the ball high into the net past Bubolz from another short corner.Australia, who won their only World Cup in 1986 in London, extended their lead at the start of the second period when Troy Elder scored after a break down the left.But Germany forced their way back into the match with two quick goals.Five minutes later Germany retook the lead.Strong running from the superb Zeller took him into the circle and he cleverly slipped the ball underneath Mowlam to send the partisan local supporters wild.Australia pressed for an equaliser, with Luke Doerner firing against a post in the 66th minute, but Germany held firm.Earlier on Sunday, European champions Spain beat South Korea 3-2 with an extra-time golden goal to take bronze.Spain were the only team to beat Australia in the group stage, but lost to Germany on penalties in their semi-final.Nampa-AP

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