Bhubaneswar — For 58 minutes, England were on the verge of a semi-final date against Australia and 240 minutes without Ollie Payne’s goal being breached. That Christopher Ruhr missed a late penalty stroke only for Die Honamas to score two in the final two minutes and win on a shoot-out, will go down as another great German hockey heist.
In 2016, Germany scored three times in the last six minutes, including the last second, to deny New Zealand at the Rio Olympics. Here, it was an outlandish 60 seconds in Odisha from Andre Henning’s side, who then produced a faultless, routine-like shoot-out to deny England a fourth successive semi-final berth. “This will sting for some time,” captain David Ames said afterwards. And some.
For England played their best near-60 minutes of the tournament. Their man to man ploy, coupled with a moment of circle brilliance and a much-needed penalty corner, put Paul Revington’s side 2-0 up, through Zach Wallace’s volley smash and Liam Ansell’s PC, with Niklas Wellen kept quiet and Germany unable to find any counter space or, seemingly, a plan for England’s dominance. Payne’s vocals, bucking up and willing on his team-mates, were heard across the Kalinga Stadium. It was resolute, almost too easy during large periods. A Commonwealth and now World Cup semi-final against the Kookaburras loomed large.
Henning’s ploy to take off Alex Stadler with over five minutes remaining changed the dynamics. Unable to score a third to kill off the game, Germany took to England’s zonal defence and proved a menace in the circle. The Grambusch brothers, first captain Mats, then Tom – who both spent time in England at Seaford College – scored late, a penalty stroke falling their way in the 59th minute after a video review over whether Payne was behind a crouching Liam Sanford, struck in the body as Germany went for the ultimate killer punch.
This was classic tournament hockey fare from Germany, so too the shoot-out display. A 4-3 win after Germany netted all four and England twice missed. After two previous World Cup defeats, in 2006 and 2010, England’s third will hurt the most.
Moritz Trompertz chipping over Payne’s bar from high in the D midway through the opening quarter was the best of Germany’s lot early on. Over the last five matches here only three goals had been scored in the first quarter. England scored a fourth with sublime baseline weaving from Will Calnan. The ball looped up to Stu Rushmere, who momentarily juggled before terrier Wallace took matters into his own hands and volley smashed past Stadler.
Meanwhile, Payne dealt with a deflected pass calmly via a left boot save. Creative skill to unlock these two defences was becoming evident. Ruhr nearly provided it by neatly diverting a flicked ball onto his forehand but couldn’t control as paced towards Payne. The first PC of the game saw a castle variation, switching to Ruhr whose quick pass was intercepted. A second corner saw Payne save, booting away the rebound.
England’s first came via a power slap into the circle from Sanford, shortly into the second-half, and Bandurak finding a foot. As with Germany’s double efforts, England failed to make any impact. On their third, it fell to Ansell, who shot into the turf and angled in across Stadler’s goal.
German counters were irregular as they defended deep and England pressing. Ansell tracked back with one thunderous stick block to stifle any attack. Upset Germany and indiscipline might just occur, Ruhr handed a yellow in the 38th minute for an errant stick tackle. “Not clever,” coach Henning said later. Then, the medicine student was involved in an incident with Sanford, who was left face down. TV cameras didn’t pick up the incident and the umpire suggested a clash of shoulders. Several England players crowded Ruhr in anguish. Both captains were spoken to.
Every pass had to be decisive, England had to take a book out of the Australia playbook of possession and execution in pinpoint passing. England couldn’t afford Germany one sniff. They also needed a third. A green card for Wallace didn’t help matters.
Germany got their chance when finding rare space to move in the circle. An outstretched stick garnered a stroke. Ruhr hit the crossbar with Payne well beaten. Still, there was more as Germany profited with 11 outmen. With three minutes left Mats Grambusch finally beat Payne in a congested circle. So nearly 16 faultless quarters.
Mats Grambusch was again a threat moments later as Hannes Muller scooped towards goal and Sanford, stopping low, was hit in the chest. A review led to a stroke. This time Tom Gramsbusch stepped up and made sure. With 38 seconds left, England defended a late PC. The ball was sent aerial, but a foul was awarded on Sam Ward. Germany countered, time ran out.J
Jean-Paul Danneberg was sent in for the shoot-outs. James Albery reversed mid-circle, Wallace tricked Danneber and flicked nonchalantly into an empty net. Each time Germany countered, with a swivel. Dave Goodfield attempted the same with England’s third but mistimed. Roper went wide, almost too wide, but reversed brilliantly.
Each time Germany came back. England scourge Ruhr’s initial shot was saved before scooping into the net with 0.50secs remaining. Ansell’s shot was saved, the last offering of a campaign which grew with each passing minute. Cometh the hour, Germany stole England’s heart.
