Title hunt in the hockey temple
The “Danas” storm furiously to win the home championship
08/18/2023 9:49 p.m
Made-to-measure start for the German women at the European Hockey Championships. The team celebrated a 4-0 win against Scotland. “A dream has come true,” Zimmermann calls into the microphone after the game. The next game promises much more effort.
Germany’s hockey women started with a clear victory in the home European Championships in Mönchengladbach. National coach Valentin Altenburg’s team celebrated a 4-0 (3-0) win against Scotland in the well-filled hockey park. Sonja Zimmermann scored for “Danas” in the first and last minute (30th) of the first half, Lisa Nolte (12th) increased in the first quarter, Charlotte Stapenhorst (54th) put the final point.
“It was so much fun playing in front of these unbelievable fans,” Zimmermann said on the Sportschau microphone: “A dream has come true. When I was little, I said I wanted to play for Germany here.” Looking ahead to the next game, the 24-year-old added: “First of all, we’re going to get a lot of sleep and have a good rest, then we’ll take a close look at the English team.”
Now it’s against England
Co-captain Nike Lorenz, who had to pass at short notice for the start due to a feverish infection, had demanded “a mega tournament in terms of atmosphere” from the home fans in advance and hoped for “a push” from this. This announcement was followed by action by both sides against Scotland. After just ten seconds, Germany was awarded the first penalty corner, which Zimmermann used just as coolly as on her second attempt with the half-time whistle.
The “Danas” set the tone throughout the game and repeatedly created good opportunities, Nolte’s goal came after a remarkable one-two. In the final section, the safe defense and Stapenhorst’s goal ensured the hoped-for high spirits among the spectators in the shadow of Borussia Park.
In the second group game on Sunday (5:30 p.m.), the DHB team meets England, where a preliminary decision about group victory could already come about. The sixth in the world rankings had celebrated an unchallenged 3-0 (2-0) against Ireland in the opening game on Friday afternoon. The German men intervene in the tournament on Saturday. In the preliminary round, the reigning world champion will meet Wales (6:00 p.m.) in the “hunt for the title at home”, then duels with France and top favorites the Netherlands await.