Pro-League: Shootout Victory in Berlin

Second victory in Berlin: Honamas win in the shootout against Argentina.

FIH Pro League: Germany – Argentina (0: 1, 1: 1, 4: 2 a.T.)

The Honamas celebrated a successful conclusion to the FIH Pro League weekend with a win in the shootout against Argentina in front of 3,000 spectators in Berlin. Marco Miltkau equalized the deficit caused by Maico Casella in the 15th minute after a penalty corner with his goal in the 43rd minute. Neither team was able to score more goals. The German team won the subsequent shootout 4:2. The win moves the Honamas up to second place in the FIH Pro League.

Copyright: Worldsportpics // FRANK UIJLENBROEK

Argentina better in the first period and deserved leadership

After the clear 6:3 victory the day before, it was clear to the German team that the Argentines would play much more aggressively. This was confirmed in the first minutes of the game. With an early penalty corner and further chances, the German defense was able to prevent the goal. In the 8th minute, national coach André Henning’s team had their first good opportunity with a shot from a turn by Anton Boeckel. Towards the end of the period, Constantin Staib forced a high back wall from Tomas Santiago in Argentina’s goal. Just a few seconds before the quarter siren, the game then saw two penalty corners for Argentina. 5 seconds before the end of the quarter, Maico Casella converted the third penalty corner to make it 1-0 for Argentina.

The second quarter started with a lot of initiative from the Argentine side, without creating any significant chances in the first five minutes. Towards the middle of the quarter, the German team gained more control of the game without looming dangerously in front of the Argentine goal. Both defenses were secure, with Argentina looking more focused and quick-thinking. At half-time, the Argentine team saw a deserved lead on the scoreboard at the Ernst-Reuter-Sportfeld in Berlin. National coach André Henning was dissatisfied with the performance of his own team at half-time.

Germany comes out of the cabin better and equalizes

The German team was determined to play better after the second half kicked off. Germany pressed much higher and had their first opportunity in the 34th minute through Timur Oruz. As a result, the Honamas increased the pressure and repeatedly created dangerous circle situations. A penalty corner from Argentina in the 38th minute was successfully defended. Argentina gave the German team more and more of the ball, but defended their own goal very compactly. As the game progressed, the Honamas became more and more dangerous. The first German penalty corner in the 42nd minute was unsuccessful, a few seconds later Marco Miltkau converted a cross from Timur Oruz with an Argentinian backhand from 7 meters to make it 1:1. In return, Jean Danneberg prevented the deficit again. After a significant increase in performance by the German team, the final third was 1-1.

Copyright: Worldsportpics // FRANK UIJLENBROEK

The last quarter started with German pressing, which the Argentines countered with solid defence. Germany played patiently around the Argentine circle, seeking the gap without scoring. In the middle of the quarter, Argentina increased their commitment again and thus gained more possession. Overall, the spectators saw an intense game at this point, but with few great chances. Both defenses defended well. In the 58th minute, Germany was able to prevent a penalty corner with successful video evidence. Shortly thereafter, Augustin Mazzilli had the last chance of the game on the Argentine side. The shootout was 1-1. 

The German team was able to win the shootout 4:2 thanks to a good goalkeeper performance by Jean Danneberg and the safe shooters Tom Grambusch, Moritz Trompertz, Thies Prinz and Johannes Große. 

The victory ends a successful weekend for the Honamas, the team now takes second place in the FIH Pro League. The next games of the German national hockey team will take place on June 11th and 12th in Hamburg against the Netherlands.

Copyright: Worldsportpics // FRANK UIJLENBROEK

votes on the game

André Henning, national coach: ” All in all, it’s a really strong weekend. Yesterday, the boys unpacked their playing qualities. Today it was about the fighting spirit and the mentality. After a weak start, we really worked our way into it. 
When you consider that we Winning twice here between the quarter-finals of the Hockey Bundesliga and with a large rotation is a very good result. “

Tom Grambusch: ” We didn’t get our game onto the field in the first half. That was mainly a mental thing, we did it much better in the second half. We had more chances, corners and were able to play the game in Get a grip. I’m really looking forward to the games against the Dutch. The games against the Netherlands have their own explosive nature and, as the season ends in Hamburg, are certainly the highlight of the Pro League season so far.”

Marco Miltkau: “That was the second game of the weekend and we weren’t quite awake at the beginning. We managed that very well in the second half and scored the equaliser. The ball came at me on the right side of the baseline and I was able to finish with the Argentine backhand, which made me very happy in front of the crowd here in Berlin. We are in a process with the team and I am looking forward to the next measure. Both games here in Berlin were world class and it was very nice to play in front of so many spectators again after the Corona period. I can say on behalf of the team that we enjoyed it very much and would love to come back. “

Game details:

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