Netherlands defend their European title!

FINAL of the GANT EHC in Mönchengladbach: Germany – Netherlands 0:3 (0:2)

28.08.2011 - The Netherlands are the old and the new European Women’s Hockey champions. In the final of the GANT EuroHockey European Championships in Mönchengladbach, Dutch coach Max Caldas’ team defeated hosts Germany 3:0 (2:0) thus winning the title for the eighth time. The goals for the Oranje team were scored by Marilyn Agliotti, Ellen Hoog and Lidewij Welden.

In front of more than 7,500 spectators in the Warsteiner HockeyPark, the defending champions from the Netherlands took the initiative immediately after the starting whistle, putting the DHB under pressure from the beginning. Kim Lammers narrowly missed a shot in the third minute. Shortly afterwards Naomi van As earned the first penalty corner, which Marilyn Agliotti converted to put the guests into an early lead.

Maike Stöckel seemed to have Germany’s first real chance after 21 minutes, but there was a foul by the Dutch keeper, which did not bring the expected 7 metre penalty shot. Shortly afterwards Kim Lammers’ shot was cleared from the line by Mandy Haase. Just three minutes later, Ellen Hoog rounded off a dream attack with a backhand 0:2. But the DHB team fought back and soon won the first two penalty corners, both of which were thwarted by the defence. Janine Beermann then had a good chance at goal, which was saved by the goalkeeper Floortje Engels.

The first half ended 2:0 for Holland. After the break the Germans applied a little more pressure and Natascha Keller’s shot led to a penalty corner which gave them their first good chance. But after that the DHB could not penetrate the Dutch defence and had trouble with their passing game. Naomi van As and Ellen Hoog went on to create chances, all of which were parried by Yvonne Frank. The German keeper also held a scoop from Maartje Paumen, but was then powerless to stop the stroke from Lidewij Welden a minute before the end.

This meant that the women in orange could finally launch the celebrations of their eighth European title, and not even the hail storm which set in punctually as the final whistle blew could dampen their enthusiasm or that of their fans.

Goals:

0:1 Marilyn Agliotti (PC, 11)

0:2 Ellen Hoog (24)

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0:3 Lidewij Welden (PC, 6)

Penalty corners:

GER: 5(-) / NED: 4 (2 goals)

Spectators: 7,500

Umpires:

Iparraguirre / Metchette