Germany’s reputation for delivering when it matters most held firm on Sunday (30 August), as the defending champions defeated Spain 1-0 to defend their FIH Men’s Hockey World Cup title at the Belfius Hockey Arena in Wavre, Belgium.
Michel Struthoff scored the golden goal late in the third quarter, converting Germany’s only circle entry of the period in a match largely controlled by Spain.
Spain, appearing in their third World Cup final, enjoyed the greater share of possession and penalty corners but were unable to find a way through the German defence.
With just under four minutes remaining and the title dream beginning to slip away, Spain withdrew their goalkeeper in favour of an additional outfield player, throwing everything they had at finding the equaliser.
The gamble increased the pressure on Germany but could not produce the miracle Spain needed.
When the final hooter sounded, Germany’s 1-0 advantage remained intact, confirming their successful title defence and a fourth men’s Hockey World Cup crown.
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“It’s a crazy feeling right now,” goalscorer Struthoff told Olympics.com, with his gold medal around his neck.
“I’m so proud of the team. At the end, everyone was playing for [each] other, and it’s incredible. It’s a nice feeling to have such a young team right now.”
Reflecting on his title-winning goal, Struthoff added: “I was just getting the ball, trying to get through the goalkeeper and the defender and just push it over the line. At the end, I was just lucky, I guess.”
German captain and Paris 2024 silver medallist Tom Grambusch echoed those sentiments of pride, before acknowledging that securing an Olympic quota spot is the team’s next major objective.
“It’s the biggest tournament in hockey, the Olympics, which is in LA in two years,” Grambusch told Olympics.com. “We’re not nominated so far, but of course that’s the next big thing, and this team is on a good way to play there.”
“If we can recreate the energy level that we had here, then I think everything is possible,” he said.
Earlier on Sunday, Argentina defeated the Netherlands 2-1 to claim the men’s bronze medal.
The result came less than 24 hours after Argentina’s women had also overcome the Dutch hosts in Amstelveen, where Las Leonas defeated the Netherlands 3-1 in a dramatic shootout following a 1-1 draw to become the women’s World Cup winners.
