Mönchengladbach — Jean-Paul Danneberg had refused to speak to journalists after Germany had secured their final berth against the Netherlands. The reason? Before the Paris Olympic finale the goalkeeper had told a radio station that the Dutch were too afraid of Germany — a prediction which came back to haunt him.
Step forward a steely-resolved, tight-lipped Danneberg for the repeat one year on as the giant goalkeeper first blocked, cleared, booted and even stick-saved with a full fling in the air during normal time (1-1) before thwarting the Netherlands, as Germany became men’s champions for the first time in 12 years with a 4-1 shoot-out victory.
The Dutch had battled wasps, orange-clad photographers and also been told to cover up their jewellery at these Championships, all off-field issues as they bid for a golden hat-trick on it. Instead, it was Mats Grambusch, playing his final game in his home city, who held aloft European hockey’s silver bling in front of a frenzied home crowd and extend a record ninth trophy. “Well that was a bit cheesy,” he joked later.
The Dutch had dominated large portions of this final and had an array of chances to see the Oranje draw level with Germany on titles won. But as Thies Prinz hit the backboard with Germany’s fourth successful shoot-out, the stats were laid bare: this was the Netherlands’ eighth match against the Germans where they had failed to win in normal time.
For a seventh time in a major tournament on German soil, the Dutch have yet to beat them. Still, Germany coach Andre Henning called it a “hellish ride in front of what felt like 30,000 spectators”.
What an absorbing, fast-paced contest this was, underlined by the opening chance from a turnover and piercing crash ball to Koen Bijen. The Den Bosch forward took a touch to the baseline and somehow forced a touch through Danneberg’s legs and a whisker from the German’s far post.
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The Dutch were beginning to force the initiative in midfield, winning battles and interchanging forcefully. A second upfield slap, this time from right to left, saw a lengthy PC review and a huge cheer from the German crowd.
An absurd goal nearly occurred but for the first quarter hooter and a flying Danneberg stick save to this right. It followed a Terrance Pieters quick interchange, again from the dominant left, into the path of an on-running and unmarked Bijen, who managed to get enough stick and height with his dive, with Danneberg producing the theatrics. A photographer’s dream, even if it was going wide.
Germany found a period of possession midway through the second quarter. Previous gallivanting surges up field had broken down; this time Michael Struthoff’s run through five Dutchmen led to successive PCs but Gonzalo Peillat couldn’t convert.
Tjep Hoedemakers’ low backhand was then booted away and a Dutch PC looked to have broken down four minutes before the end of the half. Tijmen Reyenga somehow recovered, stretching to retrieve the ball behind him and giving him enough sling as it made its way back to the circle and thudded the backboard.
Danneberg once again was forced to boot away with the next attacking phase. Peillat’s third PC was gloved clear. Save the goals for the usual final throes, Gonzalo. It was an entertaining end to an absorbing final.
The Dutch had four corners cleared in the third quarter. Again, Danneberg either blocked, cleared or his defence stood tall.
At the other end Justus Weigand did just that a minute into the final quarter, setting himself up for a reverse on the cusp of the left circle and navigating a bobbling ball, his cross-shot fizzed through Derk Meijer’s legs.
The Dutch went upfield with the next attack, leading to a Lukas Windfeder yellow – he was also playing his final game for Germany – after colliding with Thierry Brinkmann. Meanwhile, the old age tussle reared its head as Grambusch and Jip Janssen had stern words before a German PC was turned down.
It was now entering German late show territory and the Dutch, sensing this, remonstrated en masse with umpire Alison Keogh for a review which fell in their favour. In the end, both defences held firm as a last Dutch backhand flew across goal.
There was a scramble for the first two shoot-out efforts struck from the ground, Jorrit Croon’s shot was however beaten by the buzzer. Thijs van Dam also missed, while Danneberg save’s from Brinkmann saw him fleetingly celebrate gold before a stroke was given for a deliberate foul.
Yet, the Germans continued to caress the net. No player looked set to miss and soon the players engulfed Danneberg and the towering German could let out his feelings with his hockey as a European champion, two years after England had ended home hopes.
