Newsletter

Olympia 2021: Drama about German hockey men – “The world went down”

AWhen it was over, Lukas Windfeder was overwhelmed by disappointment within a fraction of a second. The German attacker sank to the ground in the firing circle in front of the Indian gate.

A few seconds earlier, Germany had given up the last chance to equalize in a penalty corner. Windfeather sat on the blue floor for minutes and buried his face in his hands. Stunned what had happened in the four quarters before.

In a dramatic game, Germany’s hockey men missed the bronze medal at the Olympic Games. The Kais al Saadi team lost 4: 5 (3: 3) against India. “We brought the Indians back into the game with hair-raising mistakes. You can’t do that with such a strong team, ”admitted al Saadi after the game. “Despite the bitter defeat, I am very proud of the team. But a small world has ended for us today. “

This end of the world light for the German hockey men was spectacular despite the scorching heat in Tokyo’s Oi Hockey Stadium. At this point a small service to keep track of things. The German drama in numbers: 1: 0, 1: 1, 2: 1, 3: 1, 3: 2, 3: 3. Break. 3: 4, 3: 5, 4: 5.

Long-range shot thunders at the post – a first warning shot

They got off to a good start. It took Germany two minutes against India to take the lead through Timur Oruz. The small fan block behind the German bank cheered for the first time. It was the starting signal for a furious battle for bronze. In the semifinals against Australia (1: 3), al Saadi’s team had shown a strong performance, but could not turn the deficit against compact Australians in the second half. So only the chance of the consolation prize remained.

Shortly before the end of the first quarter, a long-range shot from the Indians thundered into the post of the German goal. A first warning shot. When the clock had already run down, Germany got four more chances to make it 2-0. But all penalty corners were unsuccessful. The missed opportunities took revenge shortly after the restart: Simranjeet Singh was allowed to accept the ball in the German penalty area without being forced and gave Alexander Stadler no chance with his shot from the turn (17th). 1: 1. “We concede too many goals from the few chances against us,” said Martin Häner, looking at the many goals conceded, also in the entire tournament.

Here you will find content from Twitter

In order to interact with or display content from Twitter and other social networks, we need your consent.

But then came the best phase of the German team in this game for third place. First Niklas Wellen completed a strong combination ice cold (24th). A few seconds later, Benedikt Fuhr made the double strike to make it 3-1 perfect (25th). Jan Rühr danced on the sidelines with a cooling vest around his shoulders and let the water he had just drunk spray out of his mouth.

However, the Indians tore away the one hand that Germany had on the longed-for medal at that time in a few minutes. It got turbulent on the field. Hardik Singh hit after a penalty corner to connect (27th), Harmanpreet Singh (29th) equalized in the same way. 3: 3. “We lead with two goals and then suddenly it’s 3: 3. It is incredibly bitter that we allowed it, ”said Florian Fuchs, who had been cheering on his team non-stop despite the high temperatures. “We have to honestly say that we didn’t play consistently enough. It makes me so sad that the hard work was in vain. “

“Go on, what kind of mood is that here ?!”

As in the first round match against South Africa, al Saadi’s players in defense did not have access to their opponents. And if so, then only in the form of fouls. After a small bump there was a penalty for India, which Rupinder Pal Singh converted to 4: 3 (31st).

“The biggest seven-meter joke I’ve seen in my life. Despite video evidence, ”said Häner. But you shouldn’t have lost the game, according to the 32-year-old, for whom it was the last game in the German jersey. Simranjeet Singh even increased to 5: 3 (34th). Now the few Indian supporters cheered and waved their flags.

Meanwhile, Fuchs screamed his frustration on the sidelines. When he came to the bench to cool off briefly in the third quarter, the attacker cheered on his teammates and supporters in the stands: “Come on, what kind of mood is that here ?!” Fuchs’s screaming was enough at least for a little rebellion . Windfeder made the connection (48th), national coach al Saadi clenched his fists. When goalkeeper Alexander Stadler prevented the sixth Indian goal in a one-on-one against Mandeep Singh, a comeback was in the air.

6.8 seconds were left to play when the ball in the shooting area touched the foot of an Indian again. Moments when heroes are born. Or tragic characters. Like Windfeder, whose shot was heavily parried by the Indian goalkeeper. The German went down and the Indian players around him jumped for joy.

Here you will find content from Twitter

In order to interact with or display content from Twitter and other social networks, we need your consent.

“It’s the hardest defeat in my life,” said Tobias Hauke, who played 332 games for Germany. “That really hurts,” said the captain in the mixed zone with a blank look. The efforts of the past ten days were written on his face. It was his last game, confirmed Hauke. Then he crept into the cabin.

This is where you will find third-party content

In order to interact with or display content from third-party providers, we need your consent.

.

Comments

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Trending