European hockey teams from Germany off to a strong start in the Championship tournament
The German men's and women's field hockey teams have put on a stellar show at the 2025 European Championship, held in Mönchengladbach from August 9 to 17.
German Men's Team
The German men's team has made history, claiming the 2025 Men's EuroHockey Championship title in a thrilling fashion. After a 1-1 draw in regular time, they defeated the Netherlands in a dramatic shoot-out, securing a 4-1 victory and their record-breaking eighth European title. This triumph also earned them a direct qualification spot for the 2026 FIH Hockey World Cup.
Key player Jean Danneberg was decisive as goalkeeper during the shoot-out, cementing Germany's victory. This win marks a significant turnaround in their rivalry with the Netherlands, who had previously defeated Germany in the 2021 and 2015 European Championship finals, as well as in the 2024 Olympic final.
The men's team could secure a spot in the semifinals with a win against Poland on Tuesday.
German Women's Team
The German women's team has also displayed impressive performances, albeit with less detailed match results available. They kicked off their campaign with a resounding 4:1 win against France. Julia Sonntag, the experienced goalkeeper for the team, scored the fourth goal in this match. Sophia Schwabe, a player from Düsseldorf HC, also scored her first goal at the European Championship.
Sonntag, who is familiar with the Dutch team's playing style, knows that their next match against the Dutch top team on Monday will be a challenging one. She emphasizes the need for the team to play at a different pace to outsmart their opponents.
Performances Against England, France, and the Netherlands
In the men's tournament, France placed 4th while England finished 6th, both qualifying for the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, indicating competitive positions but below Germany and the Netherlands. The German men beat the Netherlands in the final via shoot-out, marking a crucial victory against their top European rival.
For the women's team, the German women's hockey team won their first match at the European Championship with a score of 4:1 against France. The team is confident about their game against the Dutch top team in their next match.
Upcoming Schedule
As of August 17, 2025, the European Championship has concluded for both men and women in Mönchengladbach. The next major event relevant to these teams is the 2026 FIH Hockey World Cup to be jointly hosted by Belgium and the Netherlands, where Germany men and several other European teams will compete.
Lena Micheel from Großflottbeker HGC scored the fourth goal for the German women's team in their match against France. Sonntag trusts her coach, Janneke Schopman, to prepare the team for the match against the Dutch. Meanwhile, Sophia Schwabe, who scored two goals in her European Championship debut, is eager to continue her form in the upcoming matches.
The German women's hockey team is looking forward to their match against the Dutch top team on Monday. With their recent performances and the determination of the players, they are poised to make a strong impact at the 2026 FIH Hockey World Cup.
Sports enthusiasts should brace themselves for the 2026 FIH Hockey World Cup, as the German men's team, having clinched their eighth European title at the 2025 Men's EuroHockey Championship, will be seeking to make another mark in the international hockey arena.
Meanwhile, the German women's team, havingshowcased impressive performances at the 2025 European Championship, are geared up for their showdown against the Dutch top team, aiming to deliver a strong impact at the 2026 FIH Hockey World Cup as well.
