Germany became the new European hockey champions after beating the Netherlands by 4-2 in the final of the Euro Hockey Nations Championship here in Monchengladbach on Sunday. Germany showed a fantastic performance and lifted the first European title since 2003. As many as 9,000 spectators saw an epic final. In the first minute of the match, Philip Zeller put the Germans 1-0 in front. In the 19th minute Roderick Weusthof beat the German goal keeper Max Weinhold with a reverse stick shot and equalised 1-1.
Germany were not shocked and penetrated the Dutch circle. In the 32nd minute Germany won the penalty stroke, Moritz Furste took it and put it low into the corner and put Germany 2-1 up against Netherlands. At the half time Germany were leading by 2-1. After the half time, Stralkowski managed to lob the ball over the keeper for Florian Fuchs, who finished superbly for Germany in the 43rd minute of the match. But the Dutch did not give up and fought back.