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Netherlands men & women take the titles in Leipzig

Germany men & Czech Republic women claim Bronze medals

Sell-out crowds watch the action at Arena Leipzig

The Netherlands have achieved a dazzling double success at the Indoor Hockey World Cup, with both the men’s and women’s national teams winning the Gold medals in front of a sell-out crowd at the Arena Leipzig in Germany.

The Dutch women took their title in dramatic style, defeating host nation Germany in a shoot-out in front of a passion-filled audience. A late goal from Claire Verhage cancelled out a lead that Germany held for the majority of a pulsating match, with Netherlands keeper Adinda Alberts making three saves in the shoot-out to give the Netherlands the title and break the hearts of the host nation in the process. 

Regarding her team’s shoot-out success, Netherlands shot-stopper Adina Alberts said: “We practiced shoot-outs and watched how the men did it against Germany yesterday. We tried to copy it and it worked for us.”

The Netherlands men took their Gold medal with a stunning 3-2 triumph against Austria. Goals from Bjorn Kellerman, team captain Robert Tigges and Robbert van de Peppel proved to be enough, although two dramatic penalty corner saves from Goalkeeper of the Tournament Laurens Goedegeburre more than played their part in the success. 

The final save sparked wild celebrations from the Dutch players, knowing that they had won their first indoor world title at the expense of their devastated Austrian opponents.

Netherlands captain Robert Tigges was overjoyed with the victory, singling out Goedegeburre for special praise.

Our goalie was amazing throughout the tournament. I still cannot believe that we have won it, I feel like I am living a dream. To win a tournament like this you need to have all of the luck on your side, and that is what we  had.” 

Earlier in the day, Czech Republic women took the Bronze medal by defeating Austria, with Germany’s men delighting the mammoth home crowd with a victory over surprise nation Iran.

Individual Award Winners
Women

Top Scorer: Denise Admiraal (NED) – 13 goals

Player of the Tournament: Katharina Otte (GER)

Goalkeeper of the Tournament: Yvonne Frank (GER)

Junior Player of the Tournament: Anne Schröder (GER)

Men

Top Scorer: Alexander Otte (GER) – 19 goals.

Player of the Tournament: Benjamin Stanzl (AUT)

Goalkeeper of the Tournament: Laurens Goedegebuure (NED)

Talent of the Tournament: Timm Herzbruch (GER)

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