The German women’s national hockey team has reached the semi-finals of the 16th European Championship since 1984 for the 16th time.
With the 5-0 (2-0) win against Ireland, coach Valentin Altenburg’s team in the Mönchengladbach Hockey Park achieved the group victory with maximum points and 14-0 goals and will now meet Belgium in the round of the last four teams on Thursday Third place in the European Championship in 2021. In front of the ranks that were not fully occupied this time, the hosts achieved a sovereign success with the goals of Sonja Zimmermann (7th minute), Pauline Heinz (22nd), twice Nike Lorenz (51st/52nd) and Jette Fleschütz (53rd).
Last EM title ten years ago
As in the previous group games against Scotland (4:0) and England (5:0), the DHB women dominated the game and underlined their medal ambitions. “We still have plans here,” national coach Altenburg said before the match. His team again showed a spirited performance and was enthusiastically supported by the audience. The women won their last European title ten years ago.
The game was quickly decided again this time after Zimmermann’s early opening goal, who already scored her fourth goal of the tournament. Before Heinz’s second goal, the guests were unlucky with a post hit, but it was also one of the few chances for the 2018 World Cup runners-up. Two notable goals from Lorenz and a counterattack from Fleschütz sealed the third win in the third game.
With a 5-0 win over Scotland in the second game of Group B, England secured second place and in the other semi-final on Thursday (5:00 p.m.) will meet record-breaking European Championship holders the Netherlands, who confidently won the league with nine points and 12-0 goals Group A ahead of Belgium won.
