Markus the Midas...

Match Review

Markus WEISE (GER) - coach - gold

On Germany's performance: "It was a super final full of good hockey and fighting spirit from both sides - two top teams. A final always has one sweet part and one bitter part, today we got the sweet part of it. For them it was probably harder to play the final because throughout the tournament they did not experience any difficulties. We did not have great difficulties either but we lost once and we drew once so we had some things to think about. Today in the final it happened for the first time that they had something to think about. Not just easy cruising through, so that was to our benefit."

On whether this is the best German side he has coached (following his third successive Olympic gold medal - two men's and one women's): "I don't think it is a good idea to compare teams with each other, because it is four years difference, they are not the same teams, the sport changes. I can't honestly say - it's a super team, yes, and all the teams I have coached are incomparable. They are different in character and playing style."

Maximilian MUELLER (GER) 

 On winning the gold medal: "It's unbelievable. After the hard pool matches, we never thought about it. We just about the next match and getting better in the tournament. Getting this medal is unbelievable."

On Jan Philipp RABENTE (GER) scoring two goals: "I'm not surprised because Rabi is a super player. He's one of our midfield players that normally appears more in the defensive part of the midfield. Today he was in the Dutch circle and he scored two goals. I'm very happy for him because sometimes it's good that such players can stand right in the middle of such games. I'm sure he will see his goals more than 100 times in the next few weeks."

Jan Philipp RABENTE (GER)

 On scoring two goals in the Olympic final: "It was one of the best moments in my life, I can't really believe it right now."

On scoring his second goal: "It was just destiny to stand in the right place at the right time. Every player would have scored this goal so it's not that important."


Paul VAN ASS (NED) - coach 
 

On the performance of Netherlands: "Congratulations to the German team, I think they played very strong today, stronger than in the European final when we played them. Today they were even better. We too were better as well, but it wasn't to the same degree that they improved. It was a good final. The first quarter we were looking for balance because our midfielder Klaas (VERMEULEN) couldn't play (he got injured in the semifinal). He's a good player and his leadership is also important for our team, especially when we try to go one on one or they try to press us."

On how he would have preferred to play Australia in the final: "I would have like to play against Australia to be honest because they are another culture again and they are number one in the world, although I don't think they will be after this tournament. That would have been fun and a big challenge. But this was also a big challenge, it was OK."

On the match: "In the first quarter it was definitely for Germany; in the second quarter we got a bit of control and then the Germans scored a goal. It wasn't great but they did it. Then after half-time we drew 1-1 and I thought, 'now we can get the initiative,' but again they made it 2-1 and that killed us - maybe it was a lack of time. They defended super today, super. You can see we have been very skilful throughout this tournament but their defence beat our skills in the end."

Christopher ZELLER (GER)

On winning his second Olympic gold: "It is indescribable. To win again and in such a close match is unbelievable. Tonight was a big fight against two very good teams but we believe in ourselves, and have always believed, but to actually do it is another thing."

On playing Netherlands (NED) in the final after losing to them in their pool match: "It was good for us to meet them again in the final. This time we did not make mistakes, so we made up for losing when we played them last. I think it was meant to happen."

On what he will do after London 2012: "It has been a long two weeks so now we will party of course. I don't think I will be at another Olympics as by then I will be 30/31, so now is my time. I think I would like to finish my studies in law after hockey."

Philipp ZELLER (GER) - gold

On what it feels like to have won gold: "It's just amazing. I'm so overwhelmed with all the impressions I have right now. I'm just happy that all the work paid off today. I'm very proud of my team."

On the match: "The Netherlands did a lot right today, they had enough chances but our defence was just too good today and the fighting and winning spirit in our team was too big. It's just great."

Floris EVERS (NED)

On the team's performance: "We didn't play the best match. We played a really good tournament, especially when you see the young guys in the team, with a lot of people in their first Olympics.

"It was a 50-50 game, and against the Germans they will make it a 50-50 game, because they are good with those kind of games. So my compliments to them. For us, it's a little bit disappointing that we didn't play the best hockey. But overall I'm really proud of the team. It could have been better but we'll celebrate the silver."

On why they lost the match: "We were a little bit impressed by playing an Olympic final. I don't think we did it all wrong, but we didn't do it all right. We could have played more attacking hockey, but maybe that's inexperience."

Teun DE NOOIJER (NED) 

On the defeat to Germany: "I think we played OK in the second half. In the first half we had some good opportunities, we were, maybe, a bit unlucky with converting them. They had the same amount of chances and they scored a few minutes before the end. Then it is difficult to win. But we gave everything we've got so I think we can be very, very proud with the tournament that we have played and, maybe, with the result, a great silver medal and I think Holland is back where it belongs. That's in an Olympic final and at the top of world hockey. We have a very young squad and they will be good in the near future."

On his assessment of the tournament: "The tournament was great for me. I got a great deal of energy from the younger kids in our team. They were great and played fantastically. They pushed me to get the best out of myself"

On his future: "I will be in Rio (2016) but looking, as a fan of hockey. Maybe I will do something in hockey, we will see. First, though, I will play one more year at my club Bloemendaal (Netherlands) and see what happens after that."

Rabente writes German history...

Gold medal match: Germany vs Netherlands 2-1 (half-time: 1-0)

Jan Philipp Rabente etched his name into German hockey history as his pair of goals helped Markus Weise’s side retain the Olympic title, doing it in breathless style at the Riverbank Arena. Prior to the final, Rabente was the equal lowest goalscorer in the German squad but he proved an unlikely hero with a goal in each half to counter Mink van der Weerden’s penalty corner.
    His second came with barely five minutes to go, popping up at the back post to guide home a rapturously received winner, inflicting the Netherlands’ third final defeat in the Olympics. For Weise, it further adds to his legend in the world game, making it three successive Olympics to coaching gold after he helped the women in Athens and the men in Beijing four years ago.
    Rabente’s first was the defining moment of the half, a truly superb individual goal. Dancing in from the right sideline, he skipped past the would-be tackles of Sander Baart and Rob van der Horst before cutting back and away from Wouter Jolie. On the slide, he swept past Jaap Stockmann for the lead in the 33rd minute.
   It was a highlight in a technically and tactically astute first half that saw both sides have their share of opportunities. Rogier Hofman was the first to shoot, his half-stunned backhand shot almost out-foxing Max Weinhold. The German goalkeeper would later brilliantly deny Billy Bakker twice.
   Germany were looking equally threatening as Florian Fuchs’ incredible run and shot whizzed just by the post. Just one corner accrued, going the way of the Dutch, but Roderick Weusthof’s drag-flick was charged down a few minutes before Rabente broke the deadlock with time running out in the half.
    And the Germans could have been further ahead when Matthias Witthaus latched onto a loose ball in the circle, created by Benjamin Wess’ right-wing burst, and smashed the inside of the post.
    From there, the Dutch laid siege the German goal before the corners eventually came, Sander de Wijn victim of one physical tackle too many. Martin Haener charged down van der Weerden’s first effort but his second was a barnstormer. It sent Max Mueller ducking for cover, meaning he scored in every game in the competition, netting eight times in the tournament.
    It reawakened Germany’s attacking intentions as Oskar Deecke’s thrust wreaked havoc and Christopher Zeller’s reverse was batted away by Stockmann. And the winner came in the 65th minute. Rabente’s direct running was once again the key as he raced through; this time on the left and while his initial run was blocked and cleared by Marcel Balkestein. It only went as far as Tobias Hauke, however, and he returned the ball with interest from the 23-metre line, angling it to the back post. In the meantime, Rabente had the presence of mind to run around the back of the goal and was in the perfect position to tip in.
    It ended dreams of the Netherlands becoming the first nation to win both men’s and women’s tournaments at the same Games, a feat that has not been done in any sport since Yugoslavia in handball in 1984. For Germany the spoils as they repeated their European championships final victory over the Netherlands to claim their third title since 1992 in thrilling fashion.

(Stephen Findlater)



Bronze medal match: Australia vs Great Britain 3-1 (half-time: 1-1)

Australia claimed their sixth bronze medal in their men’s Olympic history as their all-out aggression eventually wore down hosts Great Britain in the third place playoff, the penultimate match of the London Games. Close range rebounds from Jamie Dwyer and Kieran Govers saw them over the line after Simon Orchard’s thunderbolt was counteracted by Iain Lewers’ corner goal.
    It meant the kookaburras finished third for the fourth time in five Games while 1988 remains the last time GB were on the medal podium. Throughout, Australia were the side to force the issue, their swarming forwards pressurising the home defence into a series of mistakes but they proved profligate in converting circle entries into clean chances.
    They were almost caught on the counter-attack, though, as Dan Fox’s excellent diagonal overhead found Barry Middleton. He chose to angle a pass to the back post rather than shoot himself, allowing Timothy Deavin the chance to intercept. Australia did hit the front in the 18th minute when Simon Orchard smashed home his 39th international goal, working his way through a tackle into the circle before unleashing a furious strike through James Fair’s desperate dive.
    Richard Smith was needed to hustle another effort out of the goalmouth moments later but GB hit back when Harry Martin barreled through a couple of tackles to win his side’s first penalty corner. They chose a sweet option with Ashley Jackson firing the ball back to the injector Iain Lewers who swept home first time, leaving the tie 1-1 at the break.
    The green and golds kept their philosophy for the second period, Glenn Turner and Deavin combining well to draw a good near post save from Fair. Matt Daly’s near post effort thudded off Nathan Burgers pads in a brief bit of respite before Australia started to turn the screw. The second of three video-aided penalty corners found its way in from Dwyer as Govers’ drag-flick popped up invitingly at the second attempt.
    Two more corners went incomplete but Govers grabbed the clincher as a Dwyer punch-shot again rebounded perfectly and the Aussie volleyed home. GB finished with a big final push but Burgers was never truly tested and their wait for a medal continues for another four years.

South Africa hand wooden spoon to India

(11th-12th) South Africa vs. India: 3-2 (half-time: 2-1)
 
South Africa went ahead in the 8th minute of play and never relinquished the lead, pushing back India into last place of the competition.

South Africa opened the scoring early by Andrew Cronje, finding the ball in a wild goalmouth scramble in front of PR Sreejesh in goal for India today, before Sandeep Singh equalized on penalty-corner, only his second goal of the tournament. His weak performance on the set-play, India’s most potent weapon in recent past, has certainly contributed to the Indian poor results in this competition.

Play was balanced and lively for the remainder of the period, with both teams launching spectacular runs with the ball. Sardar Singh gave glimpses of his immense class and Danish Mujtaba twice shot from close range, but Erasmus Pieterse was up to the task in the South African goal. It was finally Timothy Drummond who managed to break the deadlock, shovelling the ball under the Indian keeper in the final minute of the period to give South Africa a one-goal lead, and momentum, going into the halftime break.

Play resumed as animated in second period. Indian keeper PR Sreejesh had to clean-up a few times behind his permeable defense while Erasmus Pieterse was having a phenomenal match for South Africa, saving huge shots from SV Sunil and Dharamvir Singh. The match switched to overdrive in the final minutes, with goals from Lloyd Norris-Jones, receiving a gem ball from Wade Paton and slamming it in goal, before a goal by Dharamvir Singh reduced the gap to one goal.

India had a late desperate surge, but it was too little and certainly too late and they finished this competition with the wooden spoon, a far cry from their pre-Games expectation, when Captain Bharat Chetri was optimistically talking about a semi-final berth. South Africa finished 11th, one spot higher than their entry ranking. They will take away some strong performances against Great Britain (2-2), Spain (2-3) and Pakistan (4-5).

(Yan Huckendubler)

FIH Launches New Hockey World League

LONDON – The FIH used the backdrop of one of the grandest Olympic hockey events, the 2012 London Olympics, to introduce the future of international hockey – the Hockey World League.
    The four-round, two-year event will serve as the qualifier for both the Hockey World Cup and the Olympic Games and will be an all-inclusive, world-wide event that involves a never-before-seen number of nations taking part in FIH events on an international level.
   “I am very proud to launch the Hockey World League today,” FIH President Leandro Negre said at the launch on the day of the women’s Olympic gold medal game. “This has been a vision of the FIH’s for a long time and at last the day is here that we see it become a reality.”
    The first round will be made up of 11 tournaments with the historic first game taking place in just four days in the Czech Republic when the Scotland and Turkey women’s national teams meet on August 14.
     In total men’s and women’s national teams from over 60 nations will take part in the first edition of the Hockey World League. For 19 of the countries, it will be their first-ever appearance in an FIH competition.
    “Never before has an international hockey competition been open to such a wide range of teams and athletes,” Negre said.
   “We sit here in London ready to watch the gold medal game today and four years from now in Rio more than 2000 athletes will have been a part of the qualification process for the next Olympics. It is truly an exciting time for hockey.”
    Those 2,000 athletes will accumulate around 6,000 caps and will gather FIH World Ranking points that were never-before available. In addition, around 300 officials will have the chance to take part in the World League.
    “This is a two-tiered approach,” said FIH CEO Kelly Fairweather. “Not only does it give the FIH a clear qualification structure for the World Cup and Olympics, but it also provides a massive development opportunity for all areas of hockey. Who knows, what the hockey landscape will look like in Rio, maybe a team from Round 1 will be with us at the next Olympics.”

WOMEN'S 2012 LONDON FINAL STANDINGS..

Final Standings

1. 
   1. Netherlands
2. 
   2. Argentina
3. 
   3. Great Britain
4. 
   4. New Zealand
5. 
   5. Australia
6. 
   6. China
7. 
   7. Germany
8. 
   8. Korea
9. 
   9. Japan
10. 
    10. South Africa
11. 
    11. Belgium
12. 
    12. United States