The men’s semi finals are done and dusted and we now know the final will be Netherlands vs Germany – a repeat of the London 2012 Olympic final, whilst India and Spain will have to pick themselves up and fight for bronze. Here’s a little about how we got here.
Netherlands 4-0 Spain.
Peaking when it matters.
The Netherlands did enough in the pool stages – they did lose to Germany and they drew with Great Britain but they were never in any real danger of not making the knockout phases. And once they did, they seem to have gone up a couple of gears. They were in complete control against Australia and put them out with a couple of beautiful goals from Duco Telgenkamp and Thijs van Dam. In the semi-final they handled the challenge of Spain very well. A goal in each quarter, an imperious display, they’ll take some stopping in the final.
He scores when he wants.
Duco Telgenkamp scores goals. His record in major tournaments is 12 games, ten goals. He’s a threat inside the circle every time he’s in there. His goal against Spain was all about instinct, positioning and the ability to finish. He’s a real gem and a real threat.
You shall not pass.
The 4-0 score looks one-sided and the Netherlands were well worth their win. That doesn’t mean that they had it all their own way. Pirmin Blaak pulled off five penalty corner saves and two open play saves. A good foundation is imperative for any team, and Blaak provides that for the Dutch.
What a goal!
Thierry Brinkman smashed in a superb strike for the Dutch’s second goal. Unstoppable. Lovely to watch.
Not all pain for Spain.
A tough defeat to take, but this side has made great strides under the guidance of Max Caldas. They are the youngest team in the men’s tournament with 13 of them experiencing the Olympics for the first time. Yes, it’s a bitter pill to swallow to lose a semi-final. Yes, it’s tough to pick yourselves up to win a bronze medal. But Caldas will be determined they leave with something to show for their efforts and that they keep making progress.
India 2-3 Germany
India’s fast start.
The first quarter was all India. They came flying out of the blocks and I just don’t think Germany expected it or knew what was coming. Hardik Singh was skinning people for fun and Craig Fulton’s side had 2/3 of the ball possession in that opening 15 minutes. That Germany managed to hang in there and only go one goal behind is a testament to their resilience.
Set piece efficiency.
The ratio got worse as the game wore on, but when Christopher Ruhr netted from the penalty spot, Germany had had two penalty corners: One expertly ripped into the net by Gonzalo Peillat and the other earning them a penalty stroke which was gleefully scored by Ruhr. Not a bad conversion rate at that point.
India are made of stern stuff.
We saw it when they played with ten men for a large chunk of the match with Great Britain and we saw it again today. India are not a side that gives in easily. After their blistering start in the first quarter, Germany reeled them in and took a degree of control. When Germany got their noses in front you could be forgiven for thinking that due to the exertion of playing with ten men in the previous match and then due to only being allowed a squad of 15 for this match due to suspension, India would fade away quietly. You’d be wrong. They drew level through Sukhjeet Singh. And they competed right till the end.
Miltkau’s big moment.
In an absolutely fast and furious match with the tension right up there it took a moment of calm, and a subtle touch to ultimately settle this contest. Peillat’s cross was expertly diverted in by Miltkau.
“If you can keep your head when all about you are losing theirs and blaming it on you..” so goes the Rudyard Kipling poem. Miltkau kept his head when it mattered most.
And so, we have our Men’s gold medal match: Germany the world champions against Netherlands, the European Champions. Who’s going to win it?
The Top of the D 