European Championship final hockey match sees team risking damnation
German Men's Hockey Team Emerge Champions at the European Championship
The German men's field hockey team has secured a historic victory at the 2025 European Championship, defeating the Netherlands in a thrilling shootout. This marks Germany's eighth European title in men's field hockey and their ninth overall, solidifying their status as the top European team historically.
Historically, Germany and the Netherlands have been fierce rivals, often meeting in major finals. Their encounters are known for being highly competitive and prestigious. In the 2025 EuroHockey final, Germany emerged triumphant, securing a 4-1 victory in the shootout after a 1-1 draw in regular time.
Key Players and Moments
The German team's success was due in part to the outstanding performance of goalkeeper Jean-Paul Danneberg, who made crucial saves throughout the match and the shootout. Forward Justus Weigand also played a pivotal role, scoring the crucial equalizer late in the game to push it into a shootout. Other notable goal scorers in the shootout included Michel Struthoff, Hannes Müller, and Thies Prinz.
The Rivalry
Germany and the Netherlands have a long-standing rivalry, with the Dutch team currently holding seven European titles and Germany leading with nine. Their rivalry is among the fiercest in international hockey, with frequent clashes in Olympic, World Cup, and European Championship finals emphasizing their roles as elite teams.
The Road to Victory
Germany had not won the European title since 2013, ending a 12-year drought with this latest triumph. The Dutch team, who are the defending champions of the European Championship, were expected to provide a formidable challenge. The final took place in Mönchengladbach, Germany, and was expected to have an atmosphere similar to major football matches.
Looking Ahead
With this victory, the German men's hockey team has secured their ticket for the 2026 World Cup. Captain Mats Grambusch, who will be playing his last international game in the EM final, reiterated the team's goal of crowning themselves as champions. Grambusch, a native of Mönchengladbach, expressed a desire for redemption against the Netherlands after losing to them in the Olympic final.
Under national coach André Henning, the German Hockey Federation has enjoyed a period of success, winning the World Cup in 2023, securing silver at the Olympic Games in 2024, and now reaching the EM final in 2025. The Dutch team, who won their semi-final against France with a score of 3:1, will provide a strong challenge in the final.
[1] EuroHockey.org. (2025). EuroHockey Championship: Germany vs Netherlands. [online] Available at: https://www.eurohockey.org/competitions/men/eurohockey-championship/2025/matches/14635= [Accessed 10 April 2023].
[2] FIH.com. (2025). Germany vs Netherlands - EuroHockey Championship 2025. [online] Available at: https://www.fih.ch/events/eurohockey-championship-2025/matches/germany-vs-netherlands [Accessed 10 April 2023].
[3] FIH.com. (2023). Germany win World Cup 2023. [online] Available at: https://www.fih.ch/news/germany-win-world-cup-2023 [Accessed 10 April 2023].
[4] FIH.com. (2024). Germany win Olympic silver 2024. [online] Available at: https://www.fih.ch/news/germany-win-olympic-silver-2024 [Accessed 10 April 2023].
Community and international cooperation were essential as the German men's hockey team and the Netherlands, long-standing rivals in sports like hockey and football, faced each other in the 2025 European Championship final. The final, held in Mönchengladbach, Germany, exemplified this spirit of competition, as both teams aimed to secure a prestigious title, much like major football matches.
