Germany - Spain 2 : 3 (2:2)
Tuesday, August, 7th 2007 - 18:00 in Mönchengladbach
Germany started the first game of the tournament without goalkeeper Tobias Franzke and the Berliner Robert Marx. Right in the first minute, Pedro Tome suddenly popped up dangerously in front of Nicolas Jacobi, who could only just fend him off. Shortly afterwards he had to save himself from Franc Dinares, who was a member of the Spanish A squad in last year's World Championships.
Maximilian Wüterich congratulates Robin Joseph (GER) for his 1:1 tie © VVI
Right from the start, the Spanish team seemed to be more alert than the Germans, so that their early lead was completely justified. Jaime Gonzales Laguillo made a running pass to Ignasi Guerrero, who saw that Tome was unmarked, and he then scored for an easy 0:1 lead.
Having falling behind, the German team were shaken awake and played more impressively, creating more opportunities to draw level. Spain's goalkeeper Francesc Mata was again and again the hero of the hour. Following German penalty corners, he let Thilo Stralkowski and Christopher Wesley both come to nothing.
Captain Christian Münz (GER) © VVI
After a foul on Christian Munz, Germany had another penalty corner, which Robin Joseph converted to 1:1.
Less than four minutes later Tobias Lietz put Germany in the lead. Their joy didn't last long, because Marc Garcia Chicote scored the equaliser in an immediate counterattack.
Martin Zwicker had the best chance before halftime with a tomahawk shot. But Mata parried it just as strongly.
Spain's number 10 Ignasi Guerrero
The second half started with a little less pace. There was some confusion on the field when umpire Peter Wright received an ankle injury and had to be replaced by Richard Shaw (England). Germany created several chances, but not of them wassuccessful. Garcia Chicote then hit the target for 2:3.
Oriol Peremiquel (ESP) and Robin Joseph (GER) © VVI
Seven minutes before the end, Germany had the best chances to equalise. Joseph's shot actually landed in the net, but the umpire had already whistled for a penalty corner. But Mara was able to parry the flick. After this, Spain settled down in their own half and left Germany very little room to play. Spain's trainer Salvador Indurain is more than satisfied with his team's victory in their first game, whilst Uli Forstner and his German team desperately need three points against Poland tomorrow. Nevertheless he still has his eyes firmly set on participation in the semi-finals.
Torschützen/Scorers:
07.' 0:1 Tome, P
19.' 1:1 Joseph, R (PC)
24.' 2:1 Lietz, T
26.' 2:2 Chicote, G
56.' 2:3 Chicote, G
Schiedsrichter/Umpires:
Wright, P (RSA)
Wijsmuller, R (NED)
| Tuesday, 07.08.2007 | ||
| A | ENG - MAS | 1:2 (1:2) |
| B | IND - POL | 9:1 (5:0) |
| B | GER - ESP | 2:3 (2:2) |
| A | BEL - NED | 1:5 (0:2) |
| Wednesday, 08.08.2007 | ||
| B | IND - ESP | +1:1 (1:1) |
| A | BEL - MAS | 1:0 (1:0) |
| A | ENG - NED | 4:3 (1:0) |
| B | GER - POL | 4:2 (1:1) |
| Friday, 10.08.2007 | ||
| A | BEL - ENG | 3:2 (1:1) |
| B | POL - ESP | 3:7 (0:2) |
| A | MAS - NED | 2:8 (1:3) |
| B | GER - IND | 1:2 (1:1) |
| Saturday, 11.08.2007 | ||
| C | ENG - POL | 5:2 (2:1) |
| C | GER - MAS | 2:1 (1:1) |
| 1-4 | NED - ESP | 3:2 (2:1) |
| 1-4 | IND - BEL | 3:4 (2:2) |
| Sunday, 12.08.2007 | ||
| C | MAS - POL | 1:1+ (0:0) |
| C | ENG - GER | 3:6 (1:2) |
| 1-4 | ESP - IND | 2:1 (1:1,1:1) |
| 1-4 | NED - BEL | 7:1 (2:0) |
| Gruppe A | |||||
| 1. | NED | 3 | 2 | 16:7 | 6 |
| 2. | BEL | 3 | 2 | 5:7 | 6 |
| 3. | ENG | 3 | 1 | 7:8 | 3 |
| 4. | MAS | 3 | 1 | 4:10 | 3 |
| Gruppe B | |||||
| 1. | IND | 3 | 3 | 12:3 | 8 |
| 2. | ESP | 3 | 2 | 11:6 | 7 |
| 3. | GER | 3 | 1 | 7:7 | 3 |
| 4. | POL | 3 | 0 | 6:20 | 0 |
| Gruppe C | |||||
| 1. | GER | 3 | 3 | 12:6 | 9 |
| 2. | MAS | 3 | 1 | 4:4 | 4 |
| 3. | ENG | 3 | 1 | 9:10 | 3 |
| 4. | POL | 3 | 1 | 5:10 | 2 |
