Women's hockey team bids emotional adieu to Grambusch - Title lost in championship game
Germany's Men's Hockey Team Triumphs in Home Soil, Mats Grambusch Bows Out on a High
Mönchengladbach, Germany - The German men's hockey team has clinched the European Championship title for the eighth time in their history, with Mats Grambusch, the team's captain, leading the way in his final match with the national team. The thrilling 1:2 victory over the Dutch team was a fitting end to Grambusch's illustrious career.
Grambusch, a distinguished player with 217 international caps and 112 goals, has an impressive list of achievements. He has been a World Champion (2023), a European Champion twice (2013 and 2025), and an Olympic Silver Medalist (Paris 2024).
In the 2025 European Championship final, Grambusch captained Germany to a hard-fought victory. The match ended in a 1:1 draw after 60 minutes, but Germany managed to secure the win in the additional time. Grambusch played a crucial role, leading the team and even holding aloft the European Championship trophy in front of a passionate home crowd.
The Dutch team, considered one of the best in the world, put up a strong fight, but Grambusch's leadership and the team's determination shone through. This win was particularly significant for Grambusch, as he was the only player on the squad to have been a European champion before, marking a full-circle moment in his career.
Grambusch's outstanding performance in the tournament was recognised individually, as he was named the best player of the competition.
Meanwhile, Jean-Paul Danneberg, the youngest player on the national team and a goalkeeper, had an outstanding performance in the European Championship final. His skills in the shootout, for which the German team is renowned as the best in the world, were instrumental in securing the victory.
The German Hockey Federation is delighted with Henning's performance as coach, and he has been given a contract until 2028 to guide the team through the European Championship (EM), World Championship (WM), and the Olympics in Los Angeles. Henning has expressed his desire for an Olympic gold medal, and with his experienced leadership and the team's determination, it seems a realistic goal.
The women's team, coached by Henning, also had a successful tournament, winning a silver medal in the European Championship, losing to the Dutch team 1:2. Lisa Nolte scored the consolation goal for the women's team in the final, and Selin Oruz ended her international career after the tournament. Martin Schultze, DHB sports director, praised Henning for handling the retirement of experienced players well.
The European Championship title was Germany's first in twelve years, and it was a fitting tribute to Mats Grambusch, who retired from the national team after the final. His contribution to German hockey will be remembered for years to come, and his legacy will inspire future generations of players.
[1] German Hockey Federation (2025). Mats Grambusch's Career Statistics. [Online] Available at: https://www.deutscher-hockey-bund.de/de/spieler/mats-grambusch/
[2] Magenta TV (2025). Mats Grambusch's Emotional Speech After the European Championship Final. [Online] Available at: https://www.magenta-tv.de/sport/hockey/mats-grambusch-emotional-spiel-nach-european-championship-final-4155982/
[3] European Hockey Federation (2025). Mats Grambusch Named Best Player of the European Championship. [Online] Available at: https://www.eurohockey.org/news/mats-grambusch-named-best-player-of-the-european-championship/
[4] German Hockey Federation (2025). Germany Wins the European Championship. [Online] Available at: https://www.deutscher-hockey-bund.de/de/news/deutschland-siegt-im-european-championship/
[5] European Hockey Federation (2025). Germany's European Championship Squad. [Online] Available at: https://www.eurohockey.org/news/germanys-european-championship-squad/
- The German men's hockey team's victory in the European Championship was not just a sports win, but a testament to Mats Grambusch's leadership and dedication, especially in his final match with the national team.
- Grambusch's impressive list of achievements includes winning the European Championship twice, once in 2013 and again in 2025, making his final victory a special milestone in his illustrious career.
- While football may hold a prominent place in European leagues, the German men's hockey team's success in the Champions League of their sport is also worth celebrating, especially considering their 8-time championship history.
