In yet another match decided in a shoot-out at these women's TriFinance EuroHockey Championships, Germany snatched the European women's title for the second time in history.
The match set off at a blistering pace in a dynamic first half that saw seven goals. It was barely three minutes into the match when Georgie Twigg got England on the scoreboard, but Germany hit back with less than a minute through Eileen Hoffmann. Kate Walsh snatched back the lead four minuets later with a penalty corner goal, but then the pendulum swung the other way as a double hit from Tina Bachmann gave Germany the advantage. Helen Richardson and Hannah Krüger finally added a goal each for a 4-3 halftime lead for Germany.
In stark contrast to the first half goal fest, the second half only saw one lone goal as England's pressure was stalled by the tight German defense. Four minutes from the end, Susie Gilbert sunk the all-important equalizer that sent the match into the shoot-out, keeping the English team's hopes for a win alive.
In the shoot-out however, for the second time in three days, Germany came out on top, but the silver medal finish was still England's best result in 22 years.
In the ceremony following the conclusion of the final, Maddie Hinch from England picked up the Best Goalkeeper of the Tournament award, while Maartje Paumen took away the Topscorer title. Tina Bachmann had been elected Best Player of the Tournament. The winning team from Germany also received - in addition to the prestigious EuroHockey trophy - a diamond stick worth 20.000 Euros.
Team Roster
Tina Bachmann, Kim Platten, Jana Teschke, Nina Hasselmann, Eileen Hoffmann, Lydia Haase, Tonya Fabig, Hannah Kruger, Barbara Vogel, Jennifer Plass, Franzisca Hauke, Maria Mavers, Maike Stockel, Janne Muller-Wieland, Hannah Gablac, Lea Stockel, Julia Muller, Lena Jacobi
Head Coach - Jamilon Mulders
Assistant Coach - Michael Willemsen
Manager - Julia Walter
Championship Game Highlights - Germany vs England