Extra-special Germany beat Britain for title

NOTTINGHAM: Olympic champions Germany came back from two goals down to defeat Britain 3-2 in extra-time and clinch the Four Nations title on Saturday.

Britain had taken a commanding 2-0 lead early in the first half when captain Barry Middleton chipped Germany goalkeeper Max Weinholt and James Tindall flicked a penalty corner conversion through Weinholt’s pads.

But Germany looked sharper in the second half.

Linus Butt reduced the deficit through a penalty corner variation at the left post before Martin Zwicker drove a backstick shot for the equaliser to take the match to extra time where the golden goal rule was in operation.

Jan-Marco Montag scored the winner, flicking in Germany’s fourth penalty corner in the last minute of the first period of extra time.

“I’m not super-pleased with the performance we gave, especially in the first half which was close to being awful. I think we were quite lucky not to have to come back from only two goals down,” said Germany coach Markus Weise.

Britain coach Jason Lee was concerned about his team’s staying power.

“We were not able to maintain enough control in the second half and we ended up having to run a lot,” Lee said.

“It’s good that we can be competitive with the number two team in the world who are Olympic champions and that is progress from where we were a few years ago.”

New Zealand took the bronze medal, coming back from 2-0 down to beat Japan 4-2 and reversing the result of the pool match which was won 4-3 by the Japanese.

Japan established a first half lead with a field goal and a penalty corner conversion by Tomonori Ono.

New Zealand stormed back in the second half with two field goals by Stephen Jenness, one by Steve Edwards and a penalty corner from Andrew Hayward as Japan ran out of steam.

“We played a good first half but in the second half we couldn’t put on any pressure and played at too slow a pace because the players were too tired – the tournament was one half a match too long for us,” said Japan coach Siegfried Aikman.

New Zealand coach Shane McLeod was pleased with his team’s performance.

“After we got two goals, and were on level pegging, there was a high motivation at that time for the guys to go for the win,” he said.