Netherlands fall to Germany in European hockey final after shootout

The Dutch men’s hockey team failed to retain their title in the final of the European Championships on Sunday, the Netherlands lost to hosts Germany after a shootout. In a repeat of the Olympic final, the score was tied 1-1 at the end of regular time.

The Netherlands started the match with several chances, the best of which fell to Koen Beijen, who hit the post. Germany responded with two penalty corners but failed to convert either.

Jeroen Delmee’s team took the lead in the 26th minute when Tijmen Reyenga scored from a penalty corner. Shortly after the start of the fourth and final quarter, Justus Weigand equalized for Germany.

In the closing minutes, Terrance Pieters and Tjep Hoedemakers had opportunities to win it for the Netherlands, but neither managed to score. As was the case in the Olympic Games, the match went to a shootout.

Jorrit Croon missed the first attempt, putting the ball into the goal outside the allotted eight seconds. Thijs van Dam also failed to score. Captain Thierry Brinkman missed as well, but was awarded a penalty stroke after a foul by German goalkeeper Jean-Paul Danneberg. Jip Janssen converted, becoming the only Dutch scorer. Germany, by contrast, was flawless in the shootout, winning 4-1.

For Germany, who lost last year’s Olympic final to the Netherlands in a shootout, this is their first European title since 2013. It is their ninth overall, making them the record holders.