Ireland and Germany locked in intense battle for a spot in the EuroHockey semi-finals.
Ireland's men's hockey team is gearing up for a crucial match against Germany in the ongoing EuroHockey Championships, taking place in Mönchengladbach on Wednesday at 7pm. The Green Army qualified for the tournament through the EuroHockey Championship II 2025, securing their spot in both the 2025 and 2027 editions of the competition [1][5].
However, Ireland's performance against Germany in the tournament has yet to be determined as no direct match result is available. Germany, currently ranked 6th in the world, reached and won the final of the 2025 EuroHockey Championships [4], suggesting they could pose a significant challenge.
Ireland's coach, Grundie, is particularly concerned about the team's inability to convert penalty corners, a vital aspect of the game against top-ranked opponents like Germany. This concern was evident in Ireland's opening match against France, where they failed to score a goal despite winning 13 penalty corners [8].
Despite creating enough chances to win their match against France comfortably, Ireland ended up losing 2-0. This dejection was followed by a 2-0 loss against the Dutch, leaving Ireland yet to score a goal in the tournament [9].
However, Ireland took heart from their display against the Dutch, a team they lost to 5-1 in Germany's previous match [6]. The Irish team hopes that Germany will be defensively fragile like the Netherlands, providing an opportunity for Ireland to secure a much-needed victory.
The stakes are high for Ireland, as a win by a two-goal margin would qualify them for the semi-finals of the EuroHockey Championships for the first time [7]. However, a draw or a French win over the Dutch on Wednesday would end Ireland's semi-final ambitions.
Meanwhile, Ireland's women's team, nicknamed the "Green Army," struggled in the 2025 EuroHockey Championships Pool C, finishing last (0 points) behind England, Scotland, and France [3]. No explicit match result against Germany is available, but Ireland underperformed in rankings, suggesting a challenging tournament for the women's team.
On a positive note, the Irish women's team has been elevated to the 2025-26 FIH Hockey Pro League, a higher-level competition featuring elite national teams, which will serve as preparation for World Cup qualification [2].
Sources:
- EuroHockey Championship II 2025 Results
- FIH Hockey Pro League
- 2025 Women's EuroHockey Championship Pool C Results
- 2025 Men's EuroHockey Championship Results
- EuroHockey Championship II 2025 Qualifiers
- Germany vs Netherlands Match Result
- EuroHockey Championships Format
- Ireland vs France Match Result
- Ireland's Performance in EuroHockey Championships
The Ireland's men's hockey team, preparing for a crucial match against Germany, needs to focus on converting penalty corners, a critical factor in games against top-ranked opponents like Germany, as their failure to score against France despite several opportunities demonstrated [8].
Regardless of Ireland's women's team's struggles in the 2025 EuroHockey Championships Pool C, the Green Army has been elevated to the 2025-26 FIH Hockey Pro League, a higher-level competition that will aid in World Cup qualification preparations [2].
