Odisha Hockey WC: Comeback Kings Germany Conquer Kalinga Stadium, Dethrone Belgium

Bhubaneswar: For the third time in three knockout games, Germany trailed by two goals.

And for the third time in three matches, Germany found a way to emerge triumphant. In the process, the comeback kings dethroned the 2018 Bhubaneswar World Cup champions Belgium to emerge champions in the 2023 edition at the same venue.

Belgium looked on course to defending their title when they jumped to a 2-0 lead in the opening 10 minutes – courtesy field goals from Florent Van Aubel and Tanguy Cosyns.

They missed some chances to increase the lead, and ultimately paid the penalty.

Germany scored once in the second, third and fourth quarters to nose ahead in the enthralling final.

With less than two minutes left on the clock, it was Belgium’s turn to show their fighting instincts as Tom Boon levelled scores with a penalty corner strike.

Both teams missed two penalties each in the first set of five, before German goalie Jean-Paul Danneberg pulled off the World Cup-winning save in sudden death.

Germany, who won their third World Cup, thus enjoyed a pleasing revenge against Belgium after having lost 1-2 to them in the 2018 WC quarterfinals.

Dutch claim bronze

The Netherlands bagged the bronze, beating Australia 3-1 in the third-place playoff clash earlier this evening.

Australia led 1-0 at half-time, thanks to a Jeremy Hayward penalty corner conversion.

But the Dutch, silver-medallists at the 2018 Bhubaneswar World Cup, turned the tables after change of ends and pumped in three goals in the third quarter.

Jip Janssen equalised from a penalty corner before Thierry Brinkman scored a pair of field goals.