S2H Team

Lisa Nolte’s audacity brought Germany a huge reward – a place in the 2024 Paris Olympics. In Ranchi on Thursday, her blind nutmeg conjured up a spectacular match-winner in the sudden-death shootout to beat India 4-3 in the semi-finals of the Olympic Qualifiers after regulation time ended 2-2 at the Marang Gomke Jaipal Singh stadium in front of a capacity crowd including cricketing icon MS Dhoni.

The heartbreak left India with the task of beating Japan, 1-2 losers to the USA in the earlier semi-final, in Friday’s play-off for third place that offers the winners a chance to travel to Paris on the rebound.

Nolte’s enterprise settled the issue, but Charlotte Stapenhorst duly picked up the player-of-the-match award for scoring both goals and displaying her customary effervescence up front.

Deepika shot India ahead from a penalty corner on the dot of the first-quarter break. Stapenhorst levelled three minutes before half-time, oozing consummate skills as she got around Savita to flick into the net.

Stapenhorst made it 2-1 three minutes from the final hooter, making no mistake with a gift from Sonika who failed to trap, slamming home past a helpless Savita.

Stapenhorst’s strike reflected Germany’s control that denied India circle entries for much of the second and third quarters and helped the midfield launch waves of offensives.

But, India, out-of-depth after surging ahead, dug into their physical and mental reserves to force a penalty corner with two minutes to go. A re-award ended with the injector Ishika Choudhary positioning herself nicely to slot home and take the contest into the tie-breaker.

Salima Tete, hitherto the wonder girl of the campaign, had a lacklustre day, even picking up a yellow card midway through the crucial fourth quarter.

It compounded India’s woes as Germany’s physicality supplemented their composed organization. With circle entries absent for eternity and playing second fiddle when it came to possession, the hosts looked like long shots in taking it to the shootout.

India, however, were on a roll at the outset as the Germans struggled to find their bearings. Sangita Kumari sparkled on the left flank with two steals at the press to have the 2004 Olympic gold medallists back-pedaling.

But not for nothing are the Germans a powerhouse. Coached by Valentin Altenburg who knows a thing or two about guiding teams in challenging Indian conditions, Germany got their act together. Tough tackling and composed circulation of the ball led to circle entries and pressure on goalkeeper and captain Savita Punia.

But Savita was at her brilliant best on the night and carried India on her shoulders right through the grueling encounter. She was steadfast in the shootout to save two attempts in the set of five but was foxed by Nolte’s cheeky but courageous hit through her legs while facing away from the goal, and that of Savita’s to spark German celebrations.

Nolte’s finish matched Maria Lopez’s ‘Panenka’ against Ireland in a shootout in Valencia to confirm Spain’s berth in the Olympics along with Belgium who got the better of Great Britain 3-2 in the other semi-final.

Ireland and Great Britain will battle it out for the third and last spot in the Valencia event.