Germany Trample Defending Champions Belgium To Lift 3rd Hockey WC Title

Bhubaneswar: In a thrilling championship game played on Sunday at the Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar, Germany defeated powerful Belgium in sudden death to win the FIH Odisha Men’s Hockey World Cup 2023.

The match ended with a 3-3 score after the end of the stipulated time. Both teams were tied at 3-3 after the second round of penalties. In the end, Germany defeated the Red Lions 2-1 in sudden death to win the tense game and the championship.

Both teams engaged in a hard battle throughout the first half. In the fifth minute, Germany made a valiant effort to earn back-to-back penalty corner opportunities, but Belgian defenders prevented them from scoring. Van Aubel Florent scored a spectacular field goal for the Red Lions in the ninth minute as Belgium soon retaliated.

Belgium continued to assert their dominance in the second half and earned their first penalty corner in the 15th minute, but they were unable to convert. In the 18th minute, Germany made a great comeback and was awarded a penalty kick. However, Belgium’s goaltenders remained firm as a rock to prevent the opponent from having a simple scoring chance.

Both teams were able to score three goals from their five opportunities in the subsequent penalty shootout after the game ended 3-3 in regulated time. Germany eventually edged Belgium in the sudden death to win the coveted trophy.