WCT: BDO Champions Trophy Day 6: Netherlands Strike Gold in Rosario 
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| World Hockey |
November 15, 2004 
World Hockey
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Day 6 Roundup by Matt Slade
The Netherlands gained a measure of revenge for their Olympic defeat with a 2-0 win over Germany to win the gold medal and conclude a highly successful BDO Hockey Champions Trophy in Rosario.
In a match that didn?t generate much excitement, the Dutch did enough to win their first Champions Trophy title since 2000 and third overall with a goal in each half.
While both teams contained vastly different line-ups to the ones that contested the Olympic final, Kim Lammers and Naomi van As scored for the Netherlands to avenge a shock 2-1 loss to Germany in Athens.
It was a first major tournament win for coach Marc Lammers, who looks to have found the nucleus of players to take the Netherlands to a successful 2006 World Cup in Madrid.
Germany can be extremely pleased with their 2004 efforts, coming from outside the top six in the world to win the Olympic title and then claiming silver at the Champions Trophy in their first final since 2000.
In the bronze medal playoff, Argentina defeated Australia 3-2 courtesy of three penalty corner goals ? the last of which was scored after a controversial decision.
The Australian defenders appealed that WorldHockey Player of the Year Luciana Aymar?s initial shot was too high, but the goal was awarded to give outgoing coach Sergio Vigil and veteran striker Vanina Oneto a fitting farewell in their final matches.
The Hockeyroos improved considerably from their round match against Argentina and pressed the world champions to take a 2-1 into half time. However two second half goals, one to Cecilia Rognoni and another to Aymar, edged Argentina ahead of a gallant Australia.
Meanwhile, New Zealand is out of next year?s Champions Trophy in Canberra after losing to China 3-0 in the fifth place playoff. China?s ability to convert a higher percentage of their penalty corner opportunities was directly responsible for the result and after a tough week, they were able to record their first win of the tournament at the most crucial time.
It would have been extremely disappointing for China, ranked fourth in the world, to drop out of the top six given they topped Pool A at the Athens Olympic Games and were knocked out of gold medal contention only by penalty strokes.
With most teams fielding sub-strength teams in the tournament, the risk for the Olympic semi finalists was always going to be not being able to maintain their position. Although disappointing in Rosario, China will be far tougher next year when the Champions Trophy will be the most important tournament in the world.
China?s two first half penalty corner goals gave them a healthy lead at the break and with the Black Sticks unable to score more than twice in any match during the tournament, they were never going to be seriously threatened.
After finishing seventh at the Olympic Games, Korea will replace New Zealand in Canberra. The Black Sticks will now play in next July?s Champions Challenge event in Virginia Beach, USA, an event held for teams in the 7-12 ranking bracket. The tournament will also include England, Spain, Japan, South Africa and USA.
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