In a game that was balanced over long stretches but had few chances, the Hamburger Polo Club secured the Final4 ticket. A goal from Paul Smith is enough for Hamburg to win the game and the quarter-final series. The game report:
HAMBURGER POLO CLUB – UHLENHORST MÜLHEIM 1: 0 (0: 0)
Just two weeks ago, Uhlenhorst Mülheim had scored the winning goal on his own pitch against the Hamburger Polo Club in the last minute. In the second game yesterday, on the other hand, the Hamburger Polo Club dominated and were able to win 5:2. The winner of today’s encounter moves into the Final4 in Bonn.
The hosts got their first chance with a penalty corner after two minutes, but penalty corner specialist Kane Russel was denied by Lennart Küppers in Mülheim’s goal (2′). Russel already has 25 goals from penalty corners and 31 goals this season in total. Uhlenhorst Mülheim presented themselves much stronger at the beginning than yesterday when they slept through the first half. Both teams didn’t have any chances to score, but showed themselves to be present and good in the game.
The second quarter also took place in midfield rather than in the attacking thirds. The Hamburger Polo Club had a chance (19th), but Küppers in goal from Mülheim could not be beaten. Only towards the end of the half did more speed come into play, both teams countered well, but remained too harmless in the last actions in front of the goal. Mülheim had a little more possession, but the hosts had the better situations.
While the offensive departments dominated the game in some other quarter-final encounters, the strong defensive performance of both defense lines is particularly noteworthy in today’s encounter. Throughout the third quarter, both teams missed making the final pass well or failed to finish once they got that far. Only three and a half minutes before the end of the quarter did the spectators of the Hamburger Polo Club see the redeeming 1:0 in the majority: A cross by Leon Thörnblom from the right found its way to Paul Smith, who turned out and finished flat into the far corner (41).
The best chance for Uhlenhorst Mülheim came in the final section: Hamburg goalkeeper Niklas Garst was able to parry two free shots on target (48′). But then it took almost ten minutes before Mülheim was able to create another opportunity, Henrik Mertgens missed in front of the goal (57th). Despite being outnumbered, Mülheim was no longer able to set an accent, the Hamburger Polo Club managed to keep its narrow lead over time.
At the end of a tight but poor game, the Hamburger Polo Club moves into the Final4 tournament in Bonn. There you will meet the men from Mannheimer HC (June 4th).
Photo: Hockeyliga eV / Marc Junge (SportsGallery)
Hockey Bundesliga Feld Final4 – Get your tickets now!
The German field hockey championships will take place this year from June 4th to 5th, 2022 in Bonn, on the club grounds of the Bonn Tennis and Hockey Association. Tickets are now available at https://hockeybundesliga.de/events .
