EuroHockey Championships Germany 2023: Netherlands win back-to-back men’s title – results

The Netherlands claimed back-to-back titles beating England 2-1 in the men’s final at the EuroHockey Championships 2023 in Mönchengladbach, Germany on 27 August (Sunday).

The victory delivered a second consecutive Dutch double for the hockey dynamo following the women’s side’s 3-1 rout of Belgium the day before. The Dutch obtained a quota place for their National Olympic Committee (NOC) in Paris 2024.

NOCs have the exclusive authority for the representation of their respective countries at the Olympic Games, athletes’ participation in Paris 2024 depends on their NOC selecting them to represent their delegation. As hosts of Paris 2024, France has already secured a spot in the men’s and women’s competitions at the next Olympic Games.

The Netherlands men’s side won their seventh EuroHockey gold medal and are now one victory short of becoming the joint all-time winners with Germany.

The Dutch made early inroads in the nail-biting affair, with Derck de Vilder pouncing on the half chance in the circle to put his side in front nine minutes into the encounter.

The Oranje did not have it all their way with the English, who reached the final for the first time since 2009, threatening to enforce the stalemate.

The sides went into the half-time break with the Dutch holding onto their slim one-goal lead before thunder paused proceedings by 30 minutes.

The Dutch doubled their score shortly after the restart, with Duco Telgenkamp finishing a superb set piece to give his side a commanding lead.

Time was running out on England’s chances of winning their second Euros title as the teams headed into the fourth and final quarter. England finally breached the Netherlands’ defences in the 47th minute courtesy of a Sam Ward goal to launch their fightback in earnest.

With four minutes left on the clock, England looked like they equalised before the Dutch asked for a video referral for dangerous play. The Dutch succeeded with the referral, denying England a foot in the door. England was given two consecutive penalty strokes, with Maurits Visser keeping both out to preserve the status quo and secure the title.

Earlier, Belgium defeated hosts Germany 2-0 in the bronze-medal match landing on the podium at the third consecutive Euros tournament.