Germany - Poland 4:2 (1:1)

Wednesday, 08.08.2007 -20:30 in Mönchengladbach

An Important Victory

Both teams knew what was needed - the loser would also lose his chance to take part in the semi finals. In the end, Germany was able to win with a clear 4:2 score, but the road had been rocky, and after twice falling behind, the German team had to fight to regain their way back into the game by using their superiority to take advantage of chances and corners.

11 penalty corners and only 3 goals for Germany © hockeyfocus.de
 

The teams began the game cautiously and the Germans had the first chance with a corner which the Polish keeper was able to stop. After losing the ball in midfield, Poland had a free shot in front of the German circle. The ball found Kubiak, Franzke couldn’t stop him, and he deflected the ball for a 0:1 score. Germany now got into gear more quickly and won a short corner, which Zwicker converted to a 1:1 draw in the 19th minute. The game went to and fro, with Germany having a little more possession. The game was also played more vigorously, which led to a green card for Germany and a yellow for Poland. Germany used their advantage in numbers and made themselves lots of good chances. Four minutes before half time Poland, with one of their few counter attacks, gave Korcz an excellent chance, but he hit the ball past the goal. The teams went in at half time 1:1.

Specialist Florian Woesch (GER) © hockeyfocus.de
 

After only one minute’s play, the umpire pointed to the penalty spot. A Polish defender had stopped Joseph with a stick foul. Woesch stepped forward, but the Polish keeper stopped the flat shot. Then another of the rare Polish counters, and suddenly the score was 1:2. Oszyjczyk had scored for Poland. Germany suddenly seemed to be disorganised and without ideas, but after the 47th minute they pulled themselves together again and increased the pressure. This was rewarded with a corner shot which Woesch hit on target. The German team again took control of the game and made chances and corners, two of which Stralkowski and Wüterich converted, achieving a final score of 4:2.

Yellow card by umpire Warren McCully (IRE) © hockeyfocus.de
 

Uli Forstner, the German trainer, called today’s game a victory. It was a difficult game, which they would probably have won 6:0 against Poland had the game been played just a few days earlier. It was particularly noticeable that the goalkeeper had a better first half, compared with the game against India. Today, Germany was the better team.

Torschützen/Scorers:
04.'   0:1   Kubiak, B
19.'   1:1   Zwicker, M
40.'   1:2   Oszyjczyk, S
50.'   2:2   Woesch, F
57.'   3:2   Stralkowski, T (PC)
63.'   4:2   Wüterich, M (PC)

Strafecken/Penalty Corners:
Deutschland 11/3 ( Tor/goal)
Polen 1/0 (kein/no Tor/goal)

Siebenmeter/Penalty Shots:
Deutschland 1 ( kein/no Tor/goal)
Polen 0 (kein/no Tor/goal)

Schiedsrichter/Umpires:
Duterme, S (BEL)
McCully, W (IRL)

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